Federal charges filed after ballots, mail allegedly dumped in Eagle Mountain
Federal prosecutors have charged a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier who authorities say threw away more than 300 mail ballots and other pieces of mail that were headed to voters in Utah’s June primary.
At a news conference in Washington, D.C., Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter and U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak outlined the case against 34-year-old Damon Matai Seei of Payson, who was arrested and arraigned in federal court in Salt Lake City, according to officials. Seei worked a postal route in Eagle Mountain.
What prosecutors say happened
Authorities say Seei discarded ballots and additional mail shortly after beginning his shift, depositing the items in a dumpster located in a church parking lot. The incident was discovered during an investigation by postal inspectors and Homeland Security Investigations, which led to the arrest and charges announced by the Justice Department.
- Arrested: Damon Matai Seei, age 34
- Location: Eagle Mountain postal route; Seei is from Payson
- Alleged conduct: Disposal of more than 300 mail ballots and other mail into a dumpster
- Status: Charged and arraigned in federal court; investigation ongoing
“Those Utahns’ right to vote was thrown away when their ballots were tossed in the trash,” Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said in a statement responding to the DOJ announcement.
Melissa Holyoak, the U.S. attorney for the District of Utah, said Seei indicated to investigators that the act did not stem from a political agenda. Officials have not attributed the alleged conduct to any targeted partisan motive and said there was no indication the ballots were discarded because of voters’ political affiliations.
Mail voting context and agency responses
Utah relies heavily on mail ballots for many elections; most registered voters cast ballots by mail in recent cycles. The Postal Service and federal law enforcement agencies cooperated in the probe after inspectors were notified of a mail-dumping incident that included general mail, packages and election ballots, according to a USPS statement provided at the announcement.
The Postal Service emphasized its commitment to protecting the sanctity of the mail, saying illegal handling by employees will not be tolerated and that those responsible will face consequences both within the agency and under the law.
Timeline and procedural next steps
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Ballots and mail allegedly dumped in a dumpster during the June primary |
| Investigation | Notified to Postal Inspection Service; referred to federal prosecutors and Homeland Security Investigations |
| Arrest | Damon Matai Seei arrested and arraigned in Salt Lake City federal court |
| Current status | Case active; federal charges filed; investigation ongoing |
Federal officials did not release full details of the indictment at the briefing, and court records may provide more information as the case progresses. It was not immediately clear whether Seei had retained an attorney or what specific charges were filed beyond the general announcement from prosecutors.
Local impact and voter assurance
The alleged disposal of ballots raises immediate concerns for affected voters and election officials. Federal and local authorities will need to identify whose ballots were involved and determine whether those voters were notified or given an opportunity to cast replacement ballots, depending on state law and the timing of the discovery.
Utah election administrators and the lieutenant governor’s office will likely be involved in determining remedial steps for impacted voters. Lt. Gov. Henderson’s statement called attention to the seriousness of the alleged conduct and thanked federal prosecutors for treating the matter as a denial of lawful voting that deserves full scrutiny.
What voters should know
Election processes and protections vary by state. Voters in Utah concerned about their ballot status should consult county election offices or the state elections division for guidance on whether their ballot was received and how to proceed if they suspect a problem. The Postal Service’s involvement signals that mail handling procedures and employee conduct are also under review.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available through the federal court process and official releases from the Department of Justice, the Postal Service and state election officials.
Reporting from the Department of Justice briefing and statements provided by federal and state officials were used in this report. Additional details will be added as court records and agency reports are released.
