Inset: Russell Valleau (Farmington Hill (Mich.) Police Department). Background: The neighborhood where Valleau allegedly attacked a mail carrier (Google Maps).
A Michigan man angry over receiving political ads in the mail went after a postal worker with a knife as he hurled racist and sexist insults at her, police say.
Russell Valleau, 61, is accused of attacking a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier on Thursday, Farmington Hills police said in a statement. Police had responded to an emergency call from the area, located 25 miles northwest of Detroit, at around 5 p.m. The mail carrier, who has not been publicly identified by law enforcement, had called police saying that she had been targeted by a man who appeared drunk and was carrying a knife.
The man was apparently upset about receiving mailers of a political nature.
“Officers spoke with the mail carrier who reported that an intoxicated male approached her delivery vehicle because he was upset that she delivered political campaign ads for Vice President Kamala Harris,” police said in a statement emailed to Law&Crime. “The agitated suspect was shouting racist, sexual and derogatory remarks about both the Vice President and the mail carrier.”
Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald detailed those remarks.
“The defendant was allegedly upset that he had received mail regarding presidential candidate Kamala Harris and allegedly said that he did not want that ‘black b—-‘ in his mailbox,” McDonald’s statement said. “He then called the mail carrier a ‘black b—-‘ and threatened the carrier.”
Harris, facing off against ex-President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, is the Democratic nominee for president and would be the first Black woman to hold the nation’s highest office.
Valleau allegedly “produced a knife and lunged at the mail carrier,” who then, “in fear for her life,” pulled out her postal service-issued pepper spray and unloaded it on the accused attacker, police said. Valleau then fled the scene and was eventually found in a neighbor’s yard, where he was arrested, the statement said.
“The Farmington Hills Police Department is dedicated to preventing attacks based on race, gender or political affiliation,” Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King said in a statement. “Such conduct is not tolerated in this great community and the Farmington Hills Police Department will use every resource to bring offenders to justice, ensuring the community remains a safe and welcoming place for all people.”
Valleau has been charged with felony ethnic intimidation, which carries a penalty of up to two years behind bars, and misdemeanor assault, which could land him in jail for around three months. He pleaded not guilty on Friday, police said. His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.
“In this highly charged political moment, everyone has a right to their political opinion and vote,” said McDonald, the prosecutor. “Whatever our political beliefs, no one should be assaulted or threatened because of their race, or for doing their job. Hate crimes impact all of us, and we will vigorously pursue all such cases.”
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