A United States District Court judge in Chicago has sentenced Malik Washington to nearly six years in federal prison for the assault and robbery of a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in Harvey, Illinois. The incident occurred on October 23, 2023, when Washington approached the mail carrier during his route, initially asking for rubber bands before attempting to grab a box from the carrier's bag.
When the mail carrier resisted, Washington drew a semiautomatic handgun and demanded the USPS-issued Arrow Key, a universal key for postal collection boxes. After obtaining the key, Washington fled but was apprehended by law enforcement four days later. The stolen key was recovered at that time.
Washington, aged 26 and residing in Calumet City, Illinois, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal robbery charge. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly sentenced him to five years and ten months in federal prison.
The sentencing was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Ruth Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Harvey Police Department provided crucial assistance in the case with Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Merin representing the government.
U.S. Attorney Boutros emphasized that "the U.S. Postal Service is a critical government function and its employees must be allowed to deliver mail to the American people safely and securely." He added that their office would continue working closely with law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use violence against postal carriers.
USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Mendonça stated that "the recent conviction and sentencing of Malik Washington demonstrate the tenacity and determination of the United States Postal Inspection Service in the agency’s pursuit for justice." She affirmed that protecting Postal Service employees and safeguarding America's mail system remains paramount to their mission.
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