GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Michigan Live reports that a former U.S. Postal Service worker was placed on probation for stealing pain medication from packages intended for U.S. Veterans Affairs, court documents show.

Sabrina Smith said she took the medication after being diagnosed with Multiple Scleroris and being unable to obtain enough medication from her doctor to deal with the pain, court records showed.

She was sentenced Friday, Feb. 24, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Ellen Carmody to one year on probation and fined $500 after she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized opening of mail.

Prosecutors did not seek a felony charge or imprisonment because Smith immediately took full responsibility for her actions when caught and resigned, Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond Beckering III said in court records.

Defense attorney Christopher Renna said that “this offense arose out of Ms. Smith’s poor decision making in regards to her medical conditions. She maintains that she does not abuse prescription medications but was struggling with pain and related complications from her Multiple Scleroris.”

He said she understands that that did not justify her actions.