A 53-year-old former postal worker pleaded guilty in federal court today to taking pain pills he was supposed to deliver to a military veteran.

Michael Murdock pleaded guilty to one of nine counts against him for stealing Veterans Affairs-prescribed hydrocodone tablets from a parcel intended for Liggie Arthur Phelps on Poor Grab Chestnut Ridge Road, in Petersburg, Tenn.

Murdock faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Prosecutor Steve Neff indicated to U.S. Magistrate Susan K. Lee that the remaining counts would be dismissed.

Murdock is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 25, 2013.

For more details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.