Two defendants sentenced to federal prison for theft of mail, bank fraud and identity theft in Augusta

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.

The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall and announced by Margaret E. "Meg" Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Joshua 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.

"The actions of these defendants not only impacted the business victims in and around Augusta, but also undermined the integrity of our financial systems," said U.S. Attorney Heap. "Let this case serve as a reminder that crime does not pay, and that we will do whatever we can to serve justice and safeguard our communities."

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."

The FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service and Richmond County Sheriff's Office investigated the cases, which were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia First Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes.