Federal prosecutors just secured prison sentences in an Augusta mail-theft and identity-fraud case that hit postal customers, businesses, and the banking system.
Joshua M. Holmes, 21, of Miami, and Coleshia Carter, 22, of East Point, Georgia, were both sentenced after guilty pleas tied to stolen mail and identity fraud.
For President Trump’s DOJ, this is the kind of ordinary but important law enforcement work that protects regular Americans from fraud crews.
A federal judge has ordered two defendants to be confined in federal prison after conviction for mail theft, bank fraud and identity theft.https://t.co/53kSbAtPGv@USPIS_HQ @USPIS_ATL pic.twitter.com/qPry7vFVTh
— U.S. Attorney SDGA (@SDGAnews) June 10, 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice described the sentences and the scheme this way:
SAVANNAH, Georgia: A federal judge has ordered two defendants to be confined in federal prison after conviction for mail theft, bank fraud and identity theft.
ADVERTISEMENTJoshua M. Holmes, 21, of Miami, was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Theft of Mail, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft.
Holmes’ codefendant, Coleshia Carter, 22, of East Point, Georgia, was also sentenced during court proceedings to 24 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft.
There is no parole in the federal system.
As described in court documents, from January 2023 to January 2024, the defendants took part in a mail theft scheme in which they would steal mail from Augusta area U.S. postal receptacles and washed checks found in the mail to create counterfeit checks which were then deposited into unauthorized accounts or used for large purchases.
“This sentencing is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to partner with fellow law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to collectively pursue criminals who victimize Postal customers.”
“These sentences should make clear that those who illegally use Americans’ personal information to facilitate fraud will face serious consequences,” said Matthew Ploskunak, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in FBI Atlanta’s Augusta office.
“The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to deliver justice for the victims of complex fraud schemes.”
The scheme ran for roughly a year, according to prosecutors.
It involved stealing mail from Augusta-area postal receptacles, washing checks, creating counterfeit checks, and using them through unauthorized accounts or large purchases.
Holmes received three years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine.
Carter received two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $1,000 fine.
The FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
That is the point: mail theft is not petty when it becomes bank fraud and identity theft.
People should be able to drop a check in the mail without wondering whether a fraud crew is waiting to turn it into someone else’s payday.
