E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A Gardena resident has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for assaulting a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee. John Leomen Ross, aged 40, received the sentence from United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer after pleading guilty in November 2024 to one count of assault on a federal employee resulting in bodily injury.
"The defendant here violently attacked a postal employee who was hard at work doing his job," stated Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. "We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their work helping obtain a prison sentence for this defendant."
Matt Shields, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division, emphasized the importance of protecting postal workers: "The U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s top priority is the safety of our postal employees. These dedicated letter carriers serve our communities daily, ensuring reliable mail delivery while facing various challenges on their routes. We remain committed to protecting the well-being of these carriers and holding accountable anyone who threatens their livelihood. No one should have to fear for their safety while performing their job."
The incident occurred on February 21, 2024, when the victim was delivering mail in Gardena. Ross confronted the USPS employee over an undelivered package he believed he should have received. He requested that his mail be delivered to a specific residence where he was allegedly squatting.
Surveillance footage captured by a home security system showed Ross attacking the USPS worker as he attempted to continue his route. The video depicted Ross hitting the employee on the back of the head and eye before body slamming him to the ground.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with Assistant United States Attorney Joshua J. Lee prosecuting the case.
