United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. has announced the sentencing of Lionel Haile to 240 months in federal prison. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles following Haile's conviction for assaulting a U.S. Postal employee with a dangerous weapon and causing bodily injury. Upon completing his prison term, Haile will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The incident occurred on December 31, 2021, when Haile attacked a postal worker in Zachary, Louisiana. As the victim delivered mail to an apartment complex, she was assaulted with a sharp object and sustained a stab wound on her right leg. Despite multiple attempts by Haile to inflict further harm on her upper body and legs, the victim managed to escape by entering a vehicle that was leaving the area.
Haile fled the scene but was apprehended on January 6, 2022, after authorities released his photograph through CrimeStoppers.
The investigation into this case involved several agencies including the United States Postal Inspection Service, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Zachary Police Department. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Robert W. Piedrahita.