SACRAMENTO — A Northern California man is facing federal charges after authorities say he was caught with stolen mail just before the holidays.

Prosecutors say Keith Allen Skipper was taken into federal custody Monday on suspicion of theft of U.S. mail and possession of stolen U.S. mail.

A federal complaint alleges the 35-year-old Roseville man was found with nearly 200 pieces of mail belonging to other people when he was stopped by El Dorado County authorities for a minor traffic violation on Dec. 22.

At the time of his arrest in El Dorado County, prosecutors say Skipper was free on bail after being arrested on suspicion of stealing mail in nearby Nevada County earlier in the month.

If convicted, Skipper could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.