A St. Paul man faces federal charges for the armed robbery of United States Postal Service (USPS) workers during two separate and brazen encounters last November. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced the charges, which stem from incidents where Rubin David Adams, 26, allegedly held USPS employees at gunpoint to forcibly take possession of highly sought-after mailbox keys. According to documents from the U.S. Attorney's office, Adams encountered a letter carrier in Edina, demanding the mailbox key, and, the following day, assaulted another worker in Brooklyn Center to obtain two mailbox keys.
Adams is now charged with two counts of assault and attempted robbery. The charged actions carry a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison, demonstrating the severity in which the judicial system is prepared to ensure the repercussions for such crimes. During his armed threats, Adams also notably put the victims' lives in jeopardy, an element that compounds the gravity of the offenses. He was arraigned last week and a preliminary and detention hearing is set for January 9, 2024. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek, and Rubin David Adams remains innocent until proven guilty.
In a statement obtained by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Luger expressed alarm over a national uptick in similar violations, reiterating that the safety of postal employees is a priority for law enforcement. Luger's message mirrors a national sentiment, stressing the need to safeguard those serving their communities in this essential role.
Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge, echoed these concerns, adding that Adams exhibited "blatant disregard for human decency and overall greed." Musgrove's statement lauds the swift actions of local, state, and federal partners to join and to collectively address this case. The collaborative effort involved the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and multiple local police departments, among others. Those who believe their mail may have been stolen are encouraged to contact the USPIS Tip Line at 612-884-7962 or via email at [email protected].
