A Red Level man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges that state he threatened to kill his mail carrier.

Red Level Police Chief Howard West said Matthew Leo Kelley, 39, entered the plea in Montgomery before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles S. Coody.

“Kelley had made threats to the postal worker that basically said he was going to kill the carrier,” West said. “Kelley was upset because his Social Security disability check had been returned due to an insufficient address.”

West said the postmaster contacted his department, who then in turn, reported the incident to postal inspectors who are federal officers that work postal-related crimes.

“We take all threats seriously,” West said. “There are laws that one has to abide by. You can’t just make idle threats.”

Kelley has an extensive criminal history of drug-related and property crimes.

Alabama Parole and Probation and River Falls Police Department also participated in the investigation.

It is unknown when Kelley will be sentenced for the crime.