Savannah man sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison

SAVANNAH, Georgia: A Savannah man has been ordered to be confined in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker and announced by Margaret E. "Meg" Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Jason Johnny Wilson, 29, of Savannah, was sentenced to 200 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Possession of a Stolen Mail Key and Possession of Stolen Mail.

Wilson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $66,358.05

Wilsons' codefendants, Terriona Grubbs, 27, of Savannah, Arthur Lee Bryant, 30, of Port Wentworth, and Tiana Lashaun Gill, 29, of Savannah, were previously sentenced after pleading guilty to various charges including Fraudulently Passing a Treasury Check, Bank Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud.

There is no parole in the federal system.

As described in court documents and testimony, from May 2023 to December 2024, the defendants took part in a mail theft scheme in which they would steal mail from U.S. postal receptacles using a stolen mail key. The stolen mail included personal identifying information and checks of multiple victims which were used by the defendants for fraudulent purposes.

After creating fraudulent checks using the stolen mail, the defendants would deposit the checks into their personal accounts and use the funds for personal gain. In all, an analysis of multiple electronic devices revealed countless images of bulk cash, checks, and other financial instruments resulting in losses totaling more than $12.1 million.

"Possessing stolen mail keys and engaging in the theft of personal and private correspondence is a crime against the public and this defendant will now answer for his misguided actions," said U.S. Attorney Heap. "The outstanding investigators, prosecutors and our law enforcement partners of the agencies involved should all be commended for their relentless effort to bring these defendants to justice."

"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service relentlessly pursues criminals who exploit the U.S. Mail system for unlawful purposes. The sentencing of these defendants who stole checks and other financial instruments and defrauded American citizens serves as a resounding message to anyone who wants to steal U.S. Mail," stated Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Atlanta Division. "We will unwaveringly work with our partners in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office to hold criminals accountable for their actions,"

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, Chatham County Police Department, Savannah Police Department, Rock Hill (South Carolina) Police Department, and Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team assisted in the investigation of the case which was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley R. Thompson.