Louisville Man Charged In The Shooting Of A United States Postal Carrier

Charged with attempted murder of a federal employee

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Louisville man appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin today, charged by Grand Jury Indictment with attempted murder of a federal employee, that is a United States Postal Carrier (while engaged in the performance of his official duties), and with forcible assault of a federal employee, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.

Eric Bennett, 38, was arrested Monday, February 27, 2017, charged by a Grand Jury Indictment, that was unsealed today during his initial appearance in federal court. The charges are in connection with the shooting of United States Postal Carrier Da’Ron Lester on February 10, 2016.

Bennett remains in federal custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 in Louisville, before Magistrate Judge Colin H. Lindsay. If convicted of the charges, Bennett faces a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison for attempted murder of a federal employee; no more than 20 years for forcible assault of a federal employee and 10 years in prison for the charge of discharging of a firearm during a crime of violence. Further, Bennett could be sentenced to a five-year term of supervised release and a fine of $750,000.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Davis and Marisa Ford, and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is conducting the investigation.

The charge of a person by Grand Jury Indictment is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.