A federal grand jury has indicted Jacob D. Ortiz, 34, of Buffalo, New York, on charges of assaulting a federal employee. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy, the indictment and a previously filed complaint allege that on September 9, 2025, a United States Postal Service letter carrier was attacked while delivering mail on Columbus Avenue in South Buffalo. The letter carrier, who was in full uniform at the time, approached a mailbox when Ortiz exited the residence.
"The Letter Carrier believed he was a resident coming to get his mail. However, without warning or provocation, Ortiz lunged toward the Letter Carrier and began punching him in the face and head with his fists," McCarthy stated.
The letter carrier sustained injuries including cuts, bumps and bruises to his face, behind his left ear, on the back of his head, as well as on his left elbow and below his right knee.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy and is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division under Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas J. Bucciarelli.
"The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty," according to officials.
If convicted of assaulting a federal employee, Ortiz faces up to 20 years in prison.
