The package was on his porch, not in his mailbox, and it has a fake UPS label. Nothing federal about it--definitely nothing involving the secret service. The only way he might get charged with something is if the glitter bomb manages to injure someone (and even then it wouldn't be a federal crime).

Agreed. If an accomplice in the passenger seat opens the package while they are driving and glitter gets in the drivers eyes, that could end poorly. Maybe instead, nix the glitter and use an oily fart spray that can't easily be cleaned off, but won't potentially blind the person might be safer. Maybe even design it so that when you open it, a cup of really nasty fart oil pours out in 4 directions.

The more I think about this, you could probably make a much safer solution for less than a few dollars if you forego the video capture. Is there a safe non-toxic stinky oil? All you would need is a box that once opened, is very difficult to put back together, that holds stinky oil.

I would probably also put wording on the package that says, "By taking or opening this package, you consent to recording and agree to manage the discharge of a very stinky oil. The opener of the packages assumes all responsibility and liability for any damage that results from touching this package".

What federal law do you think this would violate?

I was thinking of what you can and cannot mail; specifically, that what he did could be construed as a letter bomb. Granted, it’s much much less dangerous, but the mechanism is the same. At a time when public figures get pipe bombs in the mail, rigging a package to “explode” once opened... I think there’s enough material for a humorless DA (or one with an agenda) to make hay, or at least for a uneasy explanation with some serious people. Obviously IANAL, and I don’t know if the federal laws on mail extend to packages left on the porch as the other poster pointed out, but still.

Source: what my teenage self thought was a hilarious prank got to the attention of the FBI. Although the matter was cleared up in the end, being interviewed by an FBI agent at 17 taught me not to count on the understanding and second degree of law officers.

Leaving a package on your own doorstep is extraordinarily unlikely to be construed as "mailing" it.