Racial Tirade Against Postal Worker Results in Conviction: What Happened?

A Michigan man has been convicted after a shocking attack on a postal worker—simply because he didn’t like a political mailer in his mailbox.

Russell Valleau, 62, from Farmington Hills, flew into a rage after receiving a flyer supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in September 2024. His anger quickly turned into a violent, racist outburst against the postal worker, a Black woman, who was just doing her job.

Confrontation Escalates

On September 26, Valleau rode his bicycle straight to the worker’s mail truck and started shouting profanities at her. Witnesses say he was furious, yelling racial slurs and blaming her for the flyer. He told her he didn’t want “that Black b— in my mailbox” and hurled other hateful insults.

Trying to defuse the situation, the postal worker calmly told him that if he didn’t want the mail, he could simply leave it in the box for collection. But Valleau wasn’t interested in listening. Instead, he aggressively moved toward her vehicle, reaching into the open passenger-side window as if to attack her.

Fearing for her safety, she used her USPS-issued mace to spray him, then quickly drove away.

Arrest and More Racist Outbursts

When police arrived and arrested Valleau, he didn’t stop his racist rant. Even in handcuffs, he continued spewing slurs, calling the postal worker a “f—ing smelly n—” and even taunting officers by saying, “Oh, you like n—s?”

Trial and Verdict

The case went to trial last week, where a jury took just three days to find Valleau guilty of assaulting a federal employee. Prosecutors argued that his attack was clearly racially motivated. However, he was acquitted of a charge that involved using a dangerous weapon during the assault.

What’s Next?

Valleau now faces up to a year in prison. His sentencing is set for May 27, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Julie A. Beck condemned his actions, stating:

“A letter carrier was simply trying to do her job, and this defendant physically attacked her while using racist and offensive language. This type of behavior has no place in our community and will not be tolerated.”

Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Detroit Division, also issued a strong warning:

“Let this verdict be a warning to those who threaten, intimidate, or harm the dedicated men and women of USPS: We will arrest you, and we will seek to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

A Reminder of the Risks Postal Workers Face

This disturbing case is yet another reminder of the dangers postal workers—and many others in public service—face daily. A simple task like delivering the mail shouldn’t put someone at risk of racial abuse or violence.