FRESNO, Calif. -  

Gerald Charles Nutt, 38, of Fresno, was charged Thursday by a federal grand jury with breaking into and destroying mailboxes.

According to officials, Nutt broke open two mailboxes at an address in Fresno, and, at the time of his arrest, possessed stolen checks and a screwdriver he said he used to break open the mailboxes.

Nutt has been in custody since his arrest and his initial court appearance was on Nov. 9. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, Nov. 16.

If convicted, Nutt faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.