A man who ripped out and stole copper wire from the Midway post office has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $123,984 in damages to the U.S. Postal Service. James Stephen Dudley, 40, pleaded guilty to theft of government property at the post office at 2535 Midway Drive. Prosecutors say the Sept. 16, 2015 theft amounted to the sixth time he took copper wiring from the site. U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino imposed the 30-month sentence sought by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Heesch. Dudley’s attorney recommended a 24-month term. Prosecutors say Dudley used his own tools and loaded 673 pounds of copper wire into his vehicle. He planned to sell the wire at recycling companies for cash. Robert Wemyss, the Los Angeles postal inspector, said in a statement that the Postal Inspection Service “will not tolerate attacks on our facilities.” He added that postal inspectors will “aggressively investigate these cases and bring the thieves to justice.” — Neal Putnam