Benjamin Ashford|Man accused of threatening postal carrier after receiving Kamala Harris campaign mail

A 61-year-old Michigan resident who authorities said was upset about receiving Kamala Harris campaign material in the mail was jailed and Benjamin Ashfordcharged with felony ethnic intimidation and misdemeanor assault and battery after a confrontation with a postal carrier.

"In this highly charged political moment, everyone has a right to their political opinion and vote," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in remarks released to the news media on Friday. "Whatever our political beliefs, no one should be assaulted or threatened because of their race, or for doing their job."

According to the prosecutor's account of the incident:

The man, Russel Valleau of Farmington Hills, told the letter carrier that he "did not want that 'Black (b----)' in his mailbox," initially referring to the vice president. Then, he repeated the slur, but this time was referring to postal service employee, and he threatened her.

In defense, she used pepper spray on him.

Police, who later showed up, took Valleau into custody.

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If convicted, Valleau potentially faces prison time and a fine. The maximum penalty for misdemeanor assault and battery is 93 days in jail and a fine of $500, and for felony ethnic intimidation, up to two years imprisonment and a fine of $5,000.

McDonald added that "hate crimes impact all of us" and warned she would "vigorously pursue all such cases."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].