Charlie Holley, Assaulting a Federal Employee, Florida 2023

MIAMI – In a shocking display of violence, a Florida City man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for shooting at a United States Postal Service mail carrier.

Charlie Holley, 43, of Florida City, was convicted by a federal jury of forcibly assaulting a federal employee, brandishing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to evidence introduced at trial, the victim, a mail carrier with the USPS, was delivering mail on her usual route in Florida City when she arrived at Holley’s townhouse to deliver a package addressed to a name used by Holley. The victim got out of the mail truck and heard Holley speaking to her from a second-story window.

Holley demanded that the victim open the package, but she advised him that she was not permitted to do so. In response, Holley shouted, ‘Do you think I’m f—– playing with you?’ and lifted a 45-caliber, semi-automatic rifle and pointed it at the victim. The victim fled to her postal truck and heard a bullet hit her truck as she drove away.

In response to her 911 call, officers responded to Holley’s residence, where he barricaded himself inside. After a near two-hour standoff, Holley surrendered. The black rifle was found in a bedroom with several magazines loaded with ammunition, and a bullet fragment was recovered from above the gas tank of the postal truck.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Miami Field Division, Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department, and Chief Pedro W. Taylor of the Florida City Police Department made the announcement.

USPIS, FBI Miami, ATF, MDPD and the Florida City Police Department investigated the case, with the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department and Homestead Police Department providing valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Maultasch and Zachary A. Keller prosecuted the case.

Anyone with information about a crime having been committed against a postal employee, to include an assault, robbery or attempted robbery, is encouraged to call 877-876-2455 or submit a tip to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report. The Postal Inspection Service is authorized to issue monetary rewards for the forcible assault, robbery or attempted robbery of any custodian of any mail, money, or other property of the United States under the control and jurisdiction of the Postal Service.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Maultasch and Zachary A. Keller. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-20373.

Holley’s sentencing is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by postal workers every day. ‘This sentence sends a clear message that violence against federal employees will not be tolerated,’ said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of postal employees. If you have any information about a crime against a postal employee, please contact the USPIS at 877-876-2455 or submit a tip at www.uspis.gov/report.

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