A federal grand jury has indicted Robert Cordova, also known as Robert Cordona, with charges related to the robbery and assault of a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier. Cordova was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal district court today.
Cordova, 49, from San Jose, faced an initial charge by complaint on January 15, 2025, which led to an indictment on January 23, 2025. The complaint outlines that on November 22, 2024, a USPS letter carrier was sorting parcels for delivery at the rear of his mail truck near Taylor Street and 13th Street in San Jose when he felt movement in the vehicle. Upon investigation, he discovered Cordova inside the truck. When confronted by the letter carrier about his actions, Cordova allegedly exited the vehicle and punched him in the face. The confrontation escalated as Cordova reportedly took down the letter carrier and continued to assault him physically.
Following this incident, San Jose Police Department officers located Cordova nearby and arrested him after identification by the assaulted letter carrier.
Cordova is scheduled for a detention hearing on February 6, 2025.
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey alongside Stephen M. Sherwood from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced these developments.
"A complaint or indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." If found guilty of robbery of a United States mail carrier under specific legal codes (18 U.S.C. §2114(a)), Cordova faces severe penalties including up to 25 years in prison among other punishments; similarly stringent consequences apply if convicted of assaulting a federal employee under different statutes (18 U.S.C. §111(a) and (b)).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal C. Hong is leading the prosecution with support from Lynette Dixon following investigations by USPIS and SJPD officials.
The public is encouraged to report any information regarding mail theft or related offenses through USPIS contacts provided.