Mebane, N.C. — Investigators said they would spend Wednesday night sorting through hundreds of pieces of mail found underground in Alamance County.

The mail was posted to people in Durham, Orange and Alamance counties as far back as 2003, but it was recently found buried at a postal worker’s home.

Much of the mail, which included checks and carried Social Security numbers or other private information, had been burned, they said.

Alamance County sheriff's deputies said they found the mail buried in two pits in the front yard of Gayle Wilson’s house in Mebane. Wilson delivered mail for the Hillsborough Post Office in Orange County for 10 years, they said.

Deputies charged her with four felonies. They have also charged five of her friends and relatives in the case.

A friend of Wilson’s said her side of the story has not been told. The friend said Wilson is torn up about what has happened, that she never did anything intentionally and that what deputies found was junk mail.

Archie Wilborne is one of Wilson’s neighbors.

“It’s kind of scary, because it does get into your privacy,” he said. “I have been missing some insurance cards that I should have received back sometime around February.”

Post office officials said they will try to deliver any mail they can salvage.

Wilson was released on bond and has a court appearance next week. She may face federal charges.