On Aug. 21, 2008, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Patton with two counts of mail delay after two tubs of undelivered mail was found in the back of his vehicle.

The Sugar Land Police Department discovered the mail when Patton when in a traffic accident.

Patton began his employment with the USPS as a carrier on July 28, 1990. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine on each count of the indictment.