BUFFALO, NY – Melissa C. Daniels-Johnson, 39, of Buffalo, New York, has confessed to a brazen attack on a United States Postal Service employee, authorities announced today. The incident, steeped in the early panic of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Daniels-Johnson not only assault the letter carrier but also falsely claim she was infected with the virus, weaponizing fear as part of the attack.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, the March 19, 2020, confrontation unfolded at the Cheektowaga Branch Post Office. Daniels-Johnson recklessly drove her vehicle the wrong way through an exit driveway, drawing a polite correction from the USPS Letter Carrier who was collecting mail. Instead of acknowledging the error, Daniels-Johnson erupted in a torrent of profanities and explicitly threatened to cough on the carrier, attempting to infect him with the Coronavirus. The situation escalated when the branch manager intervened, attempting to de-escalate the volatile situation.
But Daniels-Johnson wasn’t finished. After briefly leaving the parking lot, she circled back, stopping beside the letter carrier as he resumed his duties. She then escalated the threats, declaring her husband would physically harm him before spitting directly onto the carrier, making contact with his leg. This act of deliberate assault prompted a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Cheektowaga Police Department, ultimately leading to her guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer.
The Department of Justice, under the direction of former Attorney General William Barr, has been aggressively pursuing crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, appointing Coronavirus Fraud Coordinators to combat scams and protect the public. This case underscores the DOJ’s commitment to not only addressing fraud but also holding accountable individuals who weaponize the pandemic for malicious purposes. A dedicated task force was created to combat hoarding and price gouging as well.
Daniels-Johnson now faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the assault of a federal officer. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, led by Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the Boston Division, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under Chief Michael Sliwinski, built the case. Sentencing is scheduled for November 30, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Roemer. Those who believe they have been victimized by COVID-19 related fraud are encouraged to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even during times of crisis, acts of violence and intimidation will not be tolerated, especially against those providing essential services.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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