SAN JOSE –3/31/26 – Robert Cordova, also known as Robert Cordona, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of Robbery of a United States Mail Carrier and one count of Assaulting a Federal Employee.

Cordova, 49, of San Jose, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 23, 2025, on charges of robbery and assault.  He pleaded guilty to both counts of the indictment.  In connection with pleading guilty, Cordova admitted that he went inside a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail truck with the intent to steal mail.  A USPS letter carrier approached him as Cordova was taking mail.  Cordova punched the letter carrier in the face, knocking him to the ground.  Cordova then got on top of the letter carrier and continued to punch him several times in the face and head.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood made the announcement.

Cordova’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2026 before U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman.  Cordova faces a maximum statutory penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for Robbery of a United States Mail Carrier in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2114(a) and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for Assaulting a Federal Employee in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a) and (b).  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal C. Hong is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by USPIS and the San Jose Police Department.