SOUTH BEND — A Middlebury mail carrier has pleaded guilty to a felony count of unlawfully detaining and delaying U.S. mail.

Mail carrier Vickey Warner was charged with felony counts in May after authorities found in her home thousands of pieces of undelivered mail, some dating back more than a year. She was charged with detaining or delaying mail, theft of mail, and obstruction of mail.

Warner in late August pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in South Bend to one count of the indictment, the charge of unlawfully detaining and delaying mail that had been entrusted to her for delivery.

She admitted to withholding delivery of some mail from January 2007 through May 2008, according to court documents.

Warner admitted that she failed to deliver much of the mail that was entrusted to her, instead keeping it in her house or vehicle, according to court documents. By May 2008, she had more than 20,000 pieces of undelivered mail.

Warner faces a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She has agreed to pay restitution to victims in the amount designated by the court.

Sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 30.