PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man has been indicted on a federal assault charge after prosecutors alleged he struck a U.S. Postal Service employee in the head with a heavy metal pipe while the employee was performing official duties.
Steven Louis, 30, was charged with assault on a federal employee inflicting bodily injury, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The indictment alleges that Louis forcibly assaulted the Postal Service employee on July 21, striking the victim in the head with the pipe while the employee was engaged in or targeted because of the performance of official duties.
Louis was arrested July 21 on a criminal complaint and warrant and has remained in federal custody since then, prosecutors reported.
He appeared Thursday for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela A. Carlos.
If convicted, Louis faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shayna Gannone is prosecuting it.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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