KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A former U.S. Postal Service carrier has avoided prison time in the theft of cash and gift cards from the mail.

A judge in Knoxville sentenced Robert Lawrence Shelley to three years of probation and community confinement on Wednesday.

Shelley told U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan he was depressed and taking drugs in 2005 and 2006 when valuables were taken from letters -- most of them sent to University of Tennessee students.

Shelley was also charged with taking 78 DVDs being sent through the mail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Al Schumutzer wrote that 26 residents of the zip code in which Shelley delivered mail reported not receiving greeting cards containing cash and gift cards. The total was $1,230.

The plea agreement said Shelley has received addiction treatment.

Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com

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