Two Brothers Convicted Of Shooting A U.S. Postal Carrier Are Sentenced To Prison

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced that two brothers convicted of shooting a U.S. Postal Carrier were sentenced to prison today. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced Rashawn Donnell Williams, 31, of Charlotte to 28 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $$3,396 as restitution.  Judge Conrad ordered Dion Lamar Williams, 28, also of Charlotte, to serve 15 years in prison, and three years of supervised release. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder of a federal employee.  Rashawn Williams also pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence.

David M. McGinnis, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.

“The Williams brothers knowingly and intentionally attempted to kill an innocent U.S. postal carrier while he was performing his official duties.  This was a reprehensible crime and the punishment reflects the severity of the violent act. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation of this case, which has led to the federal convictions,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.

"Protecting the employees of the Postal Service is a top priority of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. When someone attempts to take the life of one of our employees, we stop at nothing to identify those responsible,” stated Inspector in Charge McGinnis.  We extend our appreciation to all our law enforcement partners for their assistance and would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued support in the prosecution of those who assault postal employees.”

According to filed court documents, on August 31, 2017, Rashawn Williams and Dion Williams conspired to kill a U.S. Postal Carrier. As part of the conspiracy, Dion Williams picked up Rashawn Williams at a location on Executive Street in Charlotte.  The two men traveled to the Days Inn located at 4924 Sunset Road in Charlotte, where Rashawn Williams obtained a firearm. Then, the defendants traveled to Archer Avenue in Charlotte, where they located the victim, and attempted to kill the victim while he was delivering mail on his mail route.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray commended USPIS for their investigation of the case.  U.S. Attorney Murray and Inspector McGinnis thanked the FBI, ATF, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for their invaluable assistance with this case.

 Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Dillon, of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.