NEWTON COUNTY, Texas — Those living in the Indian Lake Community in Newton County should have relief after an altercation between a USPS employee and a citizen ended with a temporary pause in their mail services.
One Indian Lake resident told 12News 20 residents had their service cut off.
After speaking with the postmaster for Orange, Constable Howie Wonders with Newton County Pct. 4 wants to assure the community that as far as mail services are concerned, the issue has been resolved. The incident that led up to the interruption is still under investigation.
Both parties involved are telling investigators slightly different stories about what happened, according to a release from Constable Wonders. However, investigators do believe both parties were in the wrong in some way.
The interruption began as an incident between a mail carrier and a citizen. Investigators believe the carrier was speeding while doing her route and the citizen attempted to take the law into his own hands.
A GPS confirmed the carrier was speeding, according to the release.
The citizen, whose name has not been released, previously filed four complaints with USPS. One complaint was filed in person, but the citizen said he did not get feedback or results from USPS.
The resident was outside on the day of the incident. The carrier was delivering mail to his residence when he reportedly confronted her about her speeding.
After speaking with both the carrier and resident, investigators believe a negative “verbal exchange” took place between the two.
The carrier reportedly suggested that she still had a package that belonged to the resident but refused to give it to him, according to the release.
When she tried to leave to complete her route, the resident reportedly used his truck to block her and stop her from leaving. He then called the Newton County Sheriff's Office as the carrier approached his truck.
When deputies got to the scene, they told the resident that it was illegal to block the roadway and told him to let her leave. He immediately did as they asked, according to the release.
"There are other components to the story, but these are the only elements I can say are factual," Constable Wonders said.
Regular mail services to the area have been restored and will continue with a different postal employee.
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