Federal Jury in Chicago Convicts Woman of Assaulting United States Postal Carrier After Two-Day Trial

CHICAGO - A federal jury in Chicago has convicted a woman of assaulting a United States Postal Service mail carrier following a two-day trial.

DIANE BRINKLEY assaulted the mail carrier on June 9, 2025, in Chicago. The mail carrier was delivering mail at a home near Brinkley's former residence when Brinkley approached and began yelling at her. Brinkley shoved the postal carrier, causing the mail carrier to fall onto the concrete steps of a home. When the mail carrier stood up, Brinkley struck her a second time, knocking the mail carrier down again.

Brinkley, 56, of Chicago, was convicted of a federal assault charge. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago returned its verdict on July 16, 2026. The conviction is punishable by up to a year in federal prison. U.S. Magistrate Judge Heather K. McShain set sentencing for November 16.

The conviction was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Nicholas Bucciarelli, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayley Altabef and Eric Rigoli.