The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Carl R. Bonser, 56, of Lehighton, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge James M. Munley to making false claims against the government. Bonser is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, from Jan. 1, 2016, through Oct. 31, 2016, Bronser, in his official capacity as postmaster of the Orwigsburg Post Office, requested compensation for travel that never occurred, causing a loss of $6,500.The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs.For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.