A man from Michigan faces a year-long jail sentence after a jury convicted him for assaulting a U.S. Postal Service worker who put then-Vice President Kamala Harris flyers in his mailbox. Russell Valleau, 62, then proceeded to go on a racist and sexist tirade against the Black mail carrier, saying “F— you … Suck my d—, you Black b—.”
After a three-day trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury found 62-year-old Russell Valleau guilty of assaulting a federal employee but acquitted him of using a dangerous weapon, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the mail carrier was in her truck on Rockwell Street in Farmington Hills, which is 25 miles northwest of Detroit, at 5 p.m. on September 26 when Valleau approached her on his bicycle and began yelling profanities.
He was upset about receiving a mailer from the then-Democratic nominee for President, saying he did not want that ‘Black b— in my mailbox.’
He also stated, “I’m tired of getting this Black, nasty b— mail.” The carrier didn’t understand what the defendant meant by this. She suggested that if he did not want the mail, he leave it in the mailbox. Valleau repeated the ‘black b—’ mail’ comment, adding ‘do your f—in’ job.
The carrier directed Valleau to back away and rolled up the window. As she did, he pulled out a knife and moved toward her. In fear for her life, she maced him with USPS-issued pepper spray.
A neighbor confirmed the carrier’s account of events, claiming she heard Valleau yell “Ow my eyes” and fall into a ditch. Valleau seemed to be intoxicated.
The next day, cops interviewed the defendant, who denied touching the carrier. He claimed he couldn’t recall what he told her.
Authorities say he continued his racist remarks while in custody, using slurs to describe the mail carrier. When officers chastised him for his language, he allegedly responded with additional slurs.
“A letter carrier was simply trying to do her job, and this defendant physically attacked her while using racist and offensive language,” Acting U.S. Attorney Julie A. Beck stated. “This type of behavior has no place in our community and will not be tolerated.”
As previously reported by Law&Crime, Valleau faced state charges in connection with the incident.
Valleau has been charged with felony ethnic intimidation, which carries a sentence of up to two years in prison, and misdemeanor assault, which could land him in jail for about three months.
“In this highly charged political moment, everyone has the right to their political opinion and vote,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said in a statement.
“Regardless of our political beliefs, no one should be attacked or threatened because of their race or for doing their job. Hate crimes affect all of us, and we will vigorously prosecute all such cases.
The status of the state charges is unclear. Valleau could face up to a year in prison when he is sentenced in the federal case on May 27.
