A Michigan man, Russell Valleau, 62, has been found guilty of a misdemeanor charge related to an attack on a mail carrier, according to federal prosecutors. Valleau was convicted on February 27 of assaulting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with a federal employee. However, he was acquitted of two more serious charges: using a deadly or dangerous weapon to assault a federal employee and interfering with a federally protected activity.
According to court records, the incident occurred on September 26, 2024, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Prosecutors stated that Valleau, who is White, confronted a Black female U.S. mail carrier after she delivered campaign mail for former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was campaigning for the presidency at the time. Valleau allegedly became angry over receiving political advertisements and directed racist remarks at the postal worker. Prosecutors claimed he pulled a knife and threatened her, prompting her to use her USPS-issued pepper spray on him. Valleau then fled on his bicycle.
Local police responded and found Valleau lying on a nearby lawn with his bike. Officers noted that he appeared intoxicated. Valleau reportedly told authorities that he had not physically assaulted the postal worker but had been sprayed with mace. Law enforcement did not recover a knife from Valleau or the surrounding area during their investigation.
Valleau’s attorney, James Amberg, argued that his client was not motivated by racism or politics but was upset about receiving incorrect mail. Amberg suggested that mental health and alcohol-related issues played a role in Valleau’s behavior, describing him as someone living on the edge of society.
In addition to the federal conviction, Valleau faces state charges from the Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, including one count of ethnic intimidation and one count of assault and battery. The case is currently pending in Oakland County Circuit Court.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Valleau is scheduled for sentencing on May 27 and could receive a maximum sentence of one year in prison. His attorney noted that he has already served six months in jail as of March 3.
