COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gregory Ellison, 42, of Orangeburg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to assault on a federal employee.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 20, 2023, a U.S. Postal Mail Carrier stopped to deliver mail at a daycare facility in Orangeburg. Ellison, who had a prior relationship with the carrier, arrived at the facility. When Ellison arrived, the carrier tried to escape into the daycare, but Ellison caught her and began assaulting her inside of the facility where children and workers were present.
The carrier convinced Ellison to leave the premises and talk outside. Once outside, Ellison pinned her against the mail truck, ripped out her earing, and took her cell phone. The carrier managed to distract Ellison long enough to jump into her mail truck and drive away. However, Ellison caught up to the truck, punched the carrier in the head, and pulled her out of the moving vehicle by her hair causing her to land on dirt and concrete resulting in visible injuries. The truck continued to roll and crashed into a nearby ditch.
Further investigation revealed that Ellison previously visited the carrier’s place of employment multiple times in the weeks leading up to the assault. Additionally, Ellison’s social media revealed he had sent multiple messages to the victim before and after the assault threatening to kill her with a firearm. Prior to the assault, he also sent messages to two other individuals asking for a firearm. Ellison has prior convictions for domestic violence 3rd degree and harassment 2nd degree.
“Keeping our citizens, and federal workers, safe is a core to our mission,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “Such intentional violence against federal workers will be prosecuted.”
“While this incident stemmed from domestic violence, this sentencing clearly illustrates that individuals who endanger the safety and wellbeing of USPS workers will be held accountable for their actions,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector-in-Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Ellison to 40 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
