David E. Polnitz, Threatening USPS Letter Carrier, Wisconsin 2019
Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that David E. Polnitz, Jr. has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for threatening a United States Postal Service (USPS) Letter Carrier and illegally possessing a firearm.
The sentencing took place on April 18, 2019, in federal court. A jury had previously found Polnitz guilty of these charges. Polnitz, 39, pointed a Taurus, model PT738, semi-automatic .380 pistol at the Letter Carrier after his unrestrained pit bull charged the carrier.
The incident occurred on June 27, 2017. The Letter Carrier, attempting to deliver mail, sprayed the pit bull with USPS-issued dog spray after it charged him. Polnitz was identified by his distinctive ‘Pepsi blue’ contact lenses.
United States District Court Judge Pamela Pepper emphasized that this was one of the more serious cases of its kind that she had seen. She stressed that the victim in this case was merely doing his job as a letter carrier and should never have been threatened with a gun.
Polnitz was investigated by the Milwaukee Police Department and the USPS Inspection Service. He was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Corey and Benjamin Taibleson.
This case sends a message that federal prison awaits anyone who threatens a federal employee, said United States Attorney Krueger. Inspector in Charge Craig Goldberg also added, ‘The safety of USPS employees is our top priority and violence against our employees will never be tolerated.’
Defendant: David E. Polnitz, Jr.
Criminal Charges: Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Forcibly Assaulting, Impeding, Intimidating or Interfering with a USPS Letter Carrier.
City and State: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Exact Date: June 27, 2017 (incident date)
Sentence: 36 months in prison
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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