Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
United States of America v. Benjamin Gregory Shirley
Date: 07-30-2025
Case Number: 1:24-cr-00109
Judge: Jane M. Beckering
Court: The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Grand Rapids, Michigan Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Grand Rapids, Michigan criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Assault of a Postal Employee
Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Assault of a Postal Employee
Benjamin Gregory Shirley, age 41, of East Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for assaulting a postal employee.
Shirley arranged for fentanyl to be shipped from Tennessee to East Lansing in a U.S. Mail parcel to a P.O. Box that he recently opened. When it arrived at the Post Office in East Lansing, Michigan, Shirley attempted to obtain the parcel, but the parcel was mistakenly addressed to a P.O. Box different than the one Shirley opened. When the United States Postal Service clerk told Shirley she could not give him the parcel, he became agitated and eventually climbed over the counter and attempted to wrestle the parcel from the clerk's hands. After the altercation, inspectors executed a warrant to search the parcel and found a quantity of fentanyl concealed inside a teddy bear.
"My office stands ready to investigate and prosecute those who assault federal workers; no one should be subject to attack simply for doing their job,†said U.S. Attorney VerHey. "Further, my office is dedicated to combatting fentanyl trafficking, particularly through the U.S. Mail. Postal workers should be able to come to work and do their jobs without the fear of violence or drugs.â€
"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is firmly committed to protecting our postal employees and ensuring the safety of every Post Office across the country†said Sean F. McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Detroit Division. "This individual, who has a lengthy criminal history, brazenly jumped the counter of a Post Office to retrieve a package later found to contain fentanyl, a reckless act that put postal employees and the public at serious risk. Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of those actions. We will continue to hold offenders accountable and remain focused on our mission to safeguard the mail and the employees who serve the American public every day.â€
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vito S. Solitro prosecuted the case
15 months in prison
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Benjamin Gregory Shirley?
The outcome was: 15 months in prison
Which court heard United States of America v. Benjamin Gregory Shirley?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County), MI. The presiding judge was Jane M. Beckering.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Benjamin Gregory Shirley?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Grand Rapids, Michigan Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Benjamin Gregory Shirley decided?
This case was decided on July 30, 2025.