Man Arrested For Assaulting U.S. Postal Service Employee

SAN JUAN, P.R. – On April 28, 2020, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) agents arrested Wilfredo Fontanez-Reyes for assaulting a federal employee working in the United States Postal Service (USPS) in Comerio, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow.

The criminal complaint alleges that on April 28, 2020, the victim was approached by another USPS employee who indicated there was an irate customer, defendant Fontanez-Reyes, who was demanding to speak to postal management about a package. The victim went up to the lobby side door to speak to Fontanez-Reyes. Fontanez-Reyes stated he wanted to pick up a package, but became aggressive when he was told that the package was still being processed due to the high volume of packages at the facility.

The defendant punched the postal employee in the face after being told to return later to pick up the package. The altercation continued outside of the Post Office when the victim stopped Fontanez-Reyes as he fled from the scene. During this second altercation, the defendant kicked the victim in the face. Other postal employees were able to intervene and detain the defendant until Puerto Rico Police agents arrived at the scene and took custody of defendant. The victim received medical care for his injuries.

“There is no excuse for the acts of violence that the defendant inflicted upon a U.S. Postal Service employee engaged in his official duties providing essential services during this pandemic,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “Our office will not tolerate anyone who assaults a federal employee engaged in their official duties and we will aggressively prosecute these cases.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard T. Passanisi is in charge of the prosecution of this case, and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. If convicted, Fontanez-Reyes could face a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for assaulting a federal employee. Federal criminal complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.