The U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Pennsylvania released the below information:
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney
Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that James Chandler, 54, of Philadelphia,
PA, was arrested and charged by Indictment with two counts of robbery of a
United States Postal Service employee, and one count of kidnapping. The
defendant made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon and was
detained pending trial.
The Indictment alleges that on January 11,
2021 and February 4, 2021, Chandler robbed uniformed postal workers during the
execution of their official duties delivering parcels in West Philadelphia,
using a replica handgun, forcing them into their postal trucks, and stealing
packages from inside. During the incident on February 4, the defendant is also
alleged to have forced the postal worker at gunpoint to drive him for several
blocks in her postal truck before fleeing on foot.
“Targeting and violently assaulting employees
of the United States Postal Service is a federal crime that will be
investigated and prosecuted swiftly by this office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney
Williams. “Mail carriers provide an essential service to nearly every citizen,
oftentimes going above and beyond to execute their duties in challenging
circumstances. If you choose to kidnap or rob a mail carrier, I guarantee you
will feel the full force of the federal government come down on you in the form
of intense investigation and aggressive prosecution.”
“Today, the United States Attorney’s Office
charged James Chandler for assaulting two postal carriers while they delivered
mail in the City of Philadelphia,” said Damon Wood, Postal Inspector in Charge
of the Philadelphia Division. “While the carriers went about their job,
delivering the many items that residents of the city depend upon, including
medications, bills, benefits, and all the other items that help folks manage
through this cold snowy winter and the pandemic a little easier, Mr. Chandler
kidnaped them with what looked like a gun, and ransacked their postal trucks,
looking for items he thought he could sell for a few dollars. Working closely
with Detectives from the Philadelphia Police Department, Postal Inspectors
developed enough evidence to identify and arrest Mr. Chandler before he could
assault another carrier or another citizen of Philadelphia. I want to
thank the United States Attorney’s Office for supporting the United States
Postal Inspection Service and the United States Postal Service with this
arrest. The United States Postal Inspection Service has many priorities,
but it should surprise no one, that pursuing those who rob or assault Postal
Service employees are at the top of the list.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum
possible sentence of life in prison.
The case was investigated by the United States
Postal Inspection Service and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Oshana.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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