David E. Polnitz, Jr., 39, is headed to federal prison for 36 months after threatening a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier with a loaded .380 pistol in Milwaukee. Convicted by a jury on charges of forcibly interfering with a federal employee and illegal firearm possession, Polnitz’s violent outburst was sparked by a dog spray incident during a routine mail delivery.
On June 27, 2017, a USPS letter carrier was delivering mail when Polnitz’s unrestrained pit bull lunged at him. Following protocol, the carrier deployed USPS-issued dog spray to fend off the animal. That should’ve been the end of it. Instead, Polnitz, alerted by his spouse, stormed outside and pointed a Taurus PT738 semi-automatic pistol directly at the federal worker. The carrier, unharmed but shaken, identified Polnitz in court—partly by his unmistakable “Pepsi blue” contact lenses.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and Benjamin Taibleson, laid bare a dangerous escalation over a minor confrontation. U.S. District Court Judge Pamela Pepper called it one of the most serious assaults on postal workers she’s seen. “The victim was just doing his job,” she said during sentencing. “No one should face a loaded gun for delivering the mail.”
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, stood behind the verdict. “This sentence sends the message that federal prison awaits anyone who threatens a federal employee,” Krueger said. “We won’t tolerate violence against public servants in our district.”
Inspector in Charge Craig Goldberg of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service echoed the sentiment. “Postal Service employees should not be threatened or intimidated while performing their official duties,” Goldberg stated. “The safety of our employees is our top priority. Violence will never be tolerated.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the Milwaukee Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Polnitz now faces three years behind bars, a steep price for a temper-fueled crime that endangered a federal worker simply doing his duty. # # #
Related Federal Cases
- David E. Polnitz Jr. Gets 3 Years for Gun Threat Against Mailman · Wisconsin
- David Barber Gets 42 Months for Gun in School Zone · Wisconsin
- Madison Felon Gets 5 Years for Illegal Gun Possession · Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Man Gets 6 Years for Gun, Drugs, and Police Chase · Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Man Gets 5 Years for Gun, Crack Cocaine Run · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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