AUGUSTA, GA: 8/27/25 – A Richmond County man was sentenced to federal prison for using a United States Postal Service key to steal mail, commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Earl Demetrius Overton, 32, of Augusta, Georgia, was sentenced to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm, said Margaret E. Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randall Hall also ordered Overton to pay a $2,000 fine, $300 in special assessments, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
As described in court documents and at sentencing, Defendant obtained a U.S. Postal Service collection key and used that key to steal mail, including business checks, from collection boxes in the Augusta, Georgia area. Defendant then altered the business checks, deposited the altered checks into bank accounts, and withdrew the money. The money was withdrawn and stolen before the banks realized the checks were fraudulent. Defendant tried to steal more than $400,000 through his fraudulent scheme. Defendant, who was already a felon, was also caught with a firearm and a loaded 15-round magazine, along with the stolen bank checks, cash, financial documents, and debit cards.
“There were hundreds of citizens of this District who were victimized by the Defendant’s conduct. Our District is committed to protecting and defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, fraudsters who use the mail to steal will be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to safeguard the U.S. Mail.”
“The sentencing of this defendant sends a clear message to anyone who decides to exploit the mail system for their own personal profit,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those individuals who engage in fraudulent activity and demonstrate no regard for the financial impact that their crimes have on victims.”
“By using a U.S. Postal Service key to steal mail, forge checks, and commit identity theft, Overton jeopardized the safety and financial security of countless victims,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence serves as a reminder that the FBI will not tolerate criminal conduct, particularly when it involves someone in a position of trust defrauding individuals and institutions using stolen government property.”
“We will not tolerate those who victimize our community through crimes like these. The citizens of Richmond County deserve to feel secure, and we will continue working closely with our federal partners to ensure that offenders are held fully accountable. We are grateful for the collaboration that brought justice in this case and for the support provided to those who suffered because of this individual’s actions.” – Sheriff Eugene Brantley
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI and the Richmond County Sheriff’s office, and prosecuted for the United States by First Assistant United States Attorney David H. Estes.
