GRAND RAPIDS – In a chilling incident of aggression and drug trafficking, Benjamin Gregory Shirley, 41, from East Lansing, Michigan, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for violently assaulting a postal employee. The assault occurred as Shirley attempted to claim a fentanyl shipment he had arranged to be mailed from Tennessee.
Court records reveal that Shirley opened a P.O. Box in East Lansing and awaited the arrival of the parcel. However, upon discovering that the package was addressed to a different P.O. Box, his behavior escalated into violence. Shirley charged over the counter, grappling with the postal clerk who refused to hand over the package.
Inspectors responding to the scene executed a search warrant on the parcel and uncovered a hidden stash of fentanyl within a teddy bear. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, emphasized the severity of the offense, stating, “No one should be subject to attack simply for doing their job” and vowed to combat violence against federal workers.
Sean F. McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division, highlighted the risks involved, noting that Shirley’s actions put postal employees and the public at grave risk. He concluded by affirming the commitment to safeguarding the mail and protecting all postal workers.
The investigation was carried out by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Vito S. Solitro prosecuting the case. The sentence handed down reflects the gravity of Shirley’s actions and the dedication of law enforcement to hold such offenders accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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