Benjamin L. Joos of Tigerton, Wisconsin, received a sentence of 18 months in federal prison for an assault involving a shotgun aimed at a U.S. Postal Carrier. The incident occurred while the carrier was delivering mail. The attack resulted in injuries to the postal worker and damage to her vehicle, as confirmed by Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Court documents reveal that the event took place around 3:00 p.m. on September 24, 2024. During her delivery route, the postal worker experienced her passenger side window shattering and felt pain in her arm. Joos was observed holding a shotgun and shouting, “get away from my box” and “leave my mail alone.” The postal carrier left the scene to alert law enforcement. Joos later admitted to drinking “4 to 5 whisky and cokes” before the assault, with a blood alcohol concentration measured at 0.178 g/100ml, exceeding the legal limit.
At Joos's sentencing, Senior U.S. District Court Judge William C. Griesbach considered Joos's previous clean record, positive engagement within his community, and good work history. However, Judge Griesbach emphasized the severe impact of Joos’s actions on the postal worker, necessitating a period of incarceration. Post-release, Joos will serve an additional three years under supervision and must pay the injured party over $10,000 in restitution.
The investigation was carried out by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the case being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
Contact for further information can be made through Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales at Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov or by calling 414-297-1700.