NEWARK -- A man accused of assaulting a postal worker in Newark on Christmas Eve made his first appearance in U.S. District Court Thursday on federal charges.

Roger Ross, also known as Orlando Jones, is charged with assaulting a postal clerk during the course of her duties, under a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Ross, his hands cuffed, gave only yes-or-no answers to questions from Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson.

According to the complaint, Ross threatened and attacked the clerk after his wife accused the woman of stealing her mail and stalking Ross.

Ross' wife had previously visited the North Station Post Office earlier in the day in search of packages that hadn't been delivered, according to the complaint, which states she eventually called 911 to complain the clerks had been "messing with her mail."

She later waited for two of the clerks outside the building after closing, the complaint states, which was when Ross approached the victim and punched her in the face as she tried to walk away.

Ross also allegedly threatened the victim by implying he had a firearm, and told a witness not to call police because his "boys" were watching.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Merin told Dickson that Ross, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, would be eligible for deportation if convicted.

Court documents state the alleged attack was captured on surveillance video, but federal public defender Carol Gillen told Dickson the footage hadn't been turned over as of Thursday.

Ross is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 12 before Dickson in Newark.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.