GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A man from metro Detroit faces two criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a postal carrier over political mailers.
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Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald filed two charges last week against 61-year-old Russell Valleau. The Farmington Hills man was allegedly upset after receiving mail promoting presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
“(He) allegedly said that he did not want that ‘black (expletive)’ in his mailbox,” McDonald said in a press release . “He then called the mail carrier a ‘black (expletive)’ and threatened the carrier.”
The mail carrier used pepper spray to stop him and called police. Officers soon found Valleau nearby and he was taken into custody.
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He faces one felony count of ethnic intimidation and one misdemeanor count of assault and battery. The ethnic intimidation charge comes with a punishment of up to 2 years in prison.
“In this highly charged political moment, everyone has a right to their political opinion and vote. Whatever our political beliefs, no one should be assaulted or threatened because of their race, or for doing their job,” McDonald stated. “Hate crimes impact all of us, and we will vigorously pursue all such cases.”