A Michigan man has been charged with a hate crime after an alleged attack on a postal carrier over a political flyer, according to authorities in Oakland County. The incident, which involved 61-year-old Russell Frank Valleau of Farmington Hills, escalated when he reportedly received a mailer featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. CBS News reports that Valleau used racially charged language and threatened the mail carrier.

Valleau is accused of calling the postal carrier a "Black b***h" and lunging at her with a knife when she delivered the flyer to his home on Thursday. According to Audacy, the mail carrier was able to deploy her USPS-issued pepper spray to thwart the attack, and Valleau was subsequently arrested in a neighbor’s yard. As part of the legal proceedings, Valleau has been charged with one count of ethnic intimidation and one misdemeanor count of assault and battery and was given a $25,000 bond during his arraignment.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the gravity of hate crimes, especially in the current political climate. "In this highly charged political moment, everyone has a right to their political opinion and vote. Whatever our political beliefs, no one should be assaulted or threatened because of their race, or for doing their job. Hate crimes impact all of us, and we will vigorously pursue all such cases," McDonald stated, as per Mid Michigan Now.

Valleau is expected to return to court for a preliminary examination on October 27, where the charges against him will be further examined. He could face up to two years in prison if convicted of ethnic intimidation and an additional punishment for the assault charges.