HOUSTON A man wanted in connection with the slaying of a rural route postal carrier was taken into custody Sunday morning by postal inspectors and Texas Rangers, police said.
Investigators said that James Wayne Ham, 36, was found in a vacant house located near his home in San Jacinto County. Postal inspectors said Ham is considered the lead suspect in the murder of U.S. Postal carrier Marie Youngblood, 52, whose body was found at 10 p.m. Friday on Morris near Harrell, right outside of Coldspring.
Investigators think Youngblood was shot somewhere else and driven to where her Jeep Cherokee was set on fire.
Law enforcement agents from around the country have been looking for Ham since Friday night. Federal agents say Ham was complaining to postmasters about not getting his mail delivered properly.
Inspectors said the last time a postal worker was killed in Texas was about 30 years ago.
