Pittsburgh postmaster accused of opening packages containing drugs, intimidating employees

PITTSBURGH — The postmaster general of Pittsburgh has been arrested for allegedly opening a number of Express Mail packages, some of which contained drugs and money, and intimidating employees.

Daniel Davis, of Canonsburg, oversaw more than 40 postal facilities located throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area.

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According to officials, Davis’ duties as postmaster did not include having contact with packages or handling of their contents.

Multiple employees of the United States Postal Service said they witnessed Davis opening packages during his tenure as postmaster. They also said that Davis threatened employees who had knowledge of his unauthorized opening of packages.

One employee said that Davis told her to watch for potential drug shipments from certain states, specifically Texas, California, Arizona and Washington.

Another employee said that Davis took packages from the collection bin in the East Liberty Post Office into his back office, where he would examine the packages and search the addresses of the sender and receiver using Google.

The same employee later asked to be transferred because he was afraid of what Davis was doing and what had been said to him. According to the criminal complaint, Davis told the employee, “The last person who crossed me no longer works here.”

The complaint went on to state that in January Davis confronted the same employee in-person at the East Liberty Post Office, saying, “You better not say anything. I will kill you.”

Davis is facing a total of 16 charges, including criminal coercion, official oppression, obstructing administrative law and witness intimidation.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said it’s possible people from other states could be involved. The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment when asked whether a federal investigation is underway.

WPXI