A 45-year-old rural Houston resident has admitted he murdered a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier while she was in the performance of her official duties, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
James Wayne Ham pleaded guilty today. Immediately thereafter, U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes handed down a life sentence.
“Any murder against our citizens is egregious and intolerable,” said Lowery. “Even worse is someone who attacks our workforce while they are simply doing their job. This plea and sentence shows our determination to stand firm with our partners to ensure no one escapes justice for such vicious crimes.”
At the hearing, Ham admitted he murdered a USPS employee May 17, 2013, by shooting her with a firearm and then setting her on fire.
“USPS letter carriers are in our neighborhoods every day, delivering mail to homes and businesses across this country,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Dana Carter of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). “The investigation and arrest of Ham for his shocking and heinous crimes against a USPS letter carrier was the highest priority for the USPIS. Our thoughts continue to be with the victim’s family and all affected by this senseless crime.”
On May 17, 2013, Ham obtained a rifle, lighter fluid and extra ammunition. He then hid in the tree line near his home. Once the mail carrier delivered his mail and began leaving the area, Ham shot her approximately four times. He soon got into her vehicle and drove a short distance away to a water supply station. There, he doused the vehicle with lighter fluid and set it on fire. The victim’s body was still inside.
The victim’s son alerted law enforcement to the murder. He had been on the phone with the victim when Ham shot her. He advised that he had heard two loud noises, and upon questioning, she stated she thought she had been shot.
The son also heard an unintelligible male's voice over the telephone. During the call, he heard his mother say “Please don't kill me, please don't kill me.” The call was disconnected, after which he called 911.
Authorities later found Ham hiding in a vacant residence near the scene of the murder. They arrested him where he ultimately confessed. After the interview, Ham took law enforcement to the scene of the murder and showed them where he had hidden the gun as well as the location where he had shot the victim.
Ham has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
USPIS conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jill Stotts and Erin Epley prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorney Barry Disney of the Justice Department's Capital Case Section.
May 17/ 2013 VIDEO By - SCOTT ENGLE/MCPR-
051713 SAN JACINTO COUNTY MURDERED POSTAL CARRIER
" 2-RELATED ARTICLE'S BELOW "
Cold Spring Man Caught and Charged in Postal Worker's Death
On May 19, 2013, James Wayne Ham, 36, of Coldspring, was arrested near his home in Sam Jacinto County and charged with the murder of a mail carrier (52 year old Marie Youngblood of San Jacinto County) with the United States Postal Service. United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
“The safety of our workforce and, ultimately, the surrounding communities is of paramount concern to me and this office.” said Magidson. “The killing of a Postal Service worker in the course of his/her official duties is a crime that affects us all. Anyone who is believed to have committed a crime against an employee of the United States will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law".
The complaint was filed Today in federal court in Houston. Ham is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson on Tuesday. Ham will likely be held without bond pending further criminal proceedings.
“The USPIS takes very seriously any threats or violent acts committed against Postal Service employees,” said Wemyss. “We will work vigorously in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to ensure responsible individuals are brought to justice and held accountable.”
The investigation began shortly following the receipt of a 911 call from the son of a USPS worker on Friday, May 17. He indicated he had been speaking with his mother via cell phone and heard two loud noises. His mother allegedly told him she had been shot. Shortly thereafter, the phone was disconnected, according to the complaint.
The complaint alleges that Marie Youngblood was shot on Friday shortly after delivering mail at Ham’s residence. The victim was on her normal rural delivery route in her personal vehicle. Ham allegedly shot her multiple times at close range with a .30/30 caliber rifle.
Ham then allegedly drove the vehicle to a nearby secluded area and set it on fire.
According to the complaint, the victim’s body was discovered Friday in her burning vehicle in San Jacinto County. Firefighters put out the fire, then found Youngblood's body.
The investigation led to Ham after it was diclosed he had allegedly complained previously about not getting his mail delivered properly.
Ham was located after an massive manhunt and arrested without incident. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
The case is being investigated by the USPIS, San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, San Jacinto Constable Precinct 4, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Jacinto County Fire Marshall and the San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office. Also providing assistance was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the volunteer fire departments in Point Blank and Cape Royale. Assistant United States Attorneys Ed Gallagher and Joe Magliolo are prosecuting.
Original Story
Officials Give Details of Postal Worker Murder
May 18, 2013
Just after noon on Friday the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a possible assault of a Postal Worker. Officers were dispatched to the area of Harrell Road at Morris Creek. After searching the area they found a vehicle on fire near a rural water pumping station on Morris Creek. The Point Blank Fire Department responded to extinguish the blaze. Inside the vehicle the body of Eddie "Marie" Youngblood, a United States Postal Carrier was found. She had been on her rural delivery rounds in her personal vehicle.
Justice of the Peace Greg McGee ordered an autopsy on the victim and ordered Pace Stancel Funeral Directors of Cleveland to transport the body.
The United States Postal Inspectors were notified and responded to the scene to assist the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office. In addition the Texas Rangers, theTexas Department of Public Safety assisted in the investigation. At around 2 a.m. a wrecker transported the vehicle to a secure storage facility where officials from Washington D,C, are expected to sift through it for evidence.
Dogs and horses were brought in to search the wooded area in the immediate vicinity for what officials call a person of interest. He is identified as James Wayne Ham, 36, from San Jacinto County. Ham is described as being six feet tall, 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.
If anyone does spot Ham you are requested to call the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office at 936-653-4367. Officials are still searching the area as of 3 a.m. Saturday.
Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Southern District of Texas
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