Fergus Falls Man Charged Over USPS Shooting Threat

Fergus Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Rickey Delwin Stevens faces a felony threats-of-violence charge in Otter Tail County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Stevens sent messages threatening postal carriers over concerns about workers crossing his lawn.

The alleged messages were sent through the United States Postal Service website.

The incident was reported on August 8, 2026, in Fergus Falls.

The felony charge carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Postal Service Reports Messages

Fergus Falls police were contacted about an alleged threat involving local mail carriers.

A postal official told investigators that Stevens had submitted several online service complaints.

The complaints concerned postal carriers walking across his lawn instead of using the sidewalk.

The postmaster had previously explained the carrier route policy to Stevens, according to the complaint.

Stevens continued submitting complaints on August 8, prosecutors allege.

One message allegedly warned that people crossing his property could be shot.

A later message said trespassers would not actually be shot, according to court records.

Stevens allegedly said the earlier wording was intended to keep people off the grass.

The Postal Service treated the alleged threat as credible enough to take safety precautions.

Mail delivery to Stevens’ address was suspended, according to the criminal complaint.

The postmaster reportedly feared that a mail carrier could be harmed.

Police initially could not contact Stevens at his residence.

Investigators later spoke with him about the online messages.

Stevens told investigators he wanted postal workers to stop walking through his yard.

He acknowledged using the USPS complaint system to communicate his concerns.

Stevens also acknowledged writing a message saying trespassers would be shot, according to the complaint.

However, he told investigators he did not actually mean the statement.

He said a later message was intended to make that clear.

Stevens later claimed he had been referring to a squirt gun, the complaint states.

Prosecutors charged Stevens under Minnesota Statute 609.713.

The statute covers threats to commit crimes of violence intended to cause terror.

It also applies when someone acts with reckless disregard for causing such fear.

The case is State of Minnesota v. Rickey Delwin Stevens.

The court file number is 56-CR-26-1950 in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The complaint contains allegations and does not establish Stevens’ guilt.

Stevens is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.