Police: Mailman In Uniform Arrested In Drug Sting

INDIANAPOLIS -- A postal carrier wearing his work uniform was arrested this week after he tried to buy crack cocaine from undercover officers with the intention of dealing it, police said.

James A. Hunter (pictured), 46, was arrested Monday at 2708 E. Thompson Road on suspicion of smoking a small sample of cocaine he allegedly accepted from the officers and asking for a price on 2 ounces of the drug, police said.

Hunter already had finished his mail route for the day, police said. However, police said they believe that before that day, he had left his route to buy and use crack cocaine and displayed a handgun during a drug transaction.

Authorities said they arranged Monday's meeting with Hunter after learning that he had been buying crack cocaine from a target of an investigation of cocaine trafficking on Indianapolis' south side.

Undercover officers arranged Monday's sting after Hunter had expressed interest in buying cocaine that he could sell, police said.

During the sting, the undercover officers met Hunter and gave him a small sample of crack cocaine, which he then allegedly smoked in a pipe, according to police.

Hunter then asked an undercover officer for a price on 2 ounces of the drug, and agents of the U.S. Postal Service entered and arrested Hunter, police said.

"It's very disturbing, and it's against all of our regulations," said Kim Yates of the U.S. Postal Service. "He will be dealt with severely when the time comes."

Hunter was arrested on preliminary charge of conspiracy to deal cocaine, dealing cocaine and possession of cocaine, Indianapolis police said. He was being held Tuesday with bond set at $5,000.