A federal grand jury has indicted Jacob D. Ortiz, 34, of Buffalo, New York, on charges of assaulting a federal employee. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy, the indictment and a previously filed complaint allege that on September 9, 2025, a United States Postal Service letter carrier was attacked while delivering mail on Columbus Avenue in South Buffalo. The carrier, who was in full uniform at the time, approached a mailbox when Ortiz exited the residence.
“The Letter Carrier believed he was a resident coming to get his mail. However, without warning or provocation, Ortiz lunged toward the Letter Carrier and began punching him in the face and head with his fists,” McCarthy stated. “The Letter Carrier suffered cuts, bumps and bruises to his face, behind his left ear, on the back of his head, on his left elbow and below his right knee.”
If convicted of assaulting a federal employee, Ortiz faces up to 20 years in prison.
The investigation into the incident was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division under Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas J. Bucciarelli.
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and that Ortiz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
