AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A man from Augusta has been sentenced to 84 months in prison for stealing mail using a U.S. Postal Service key, engaging in bank fraud, and committing aggravated identity theft, as revealed by the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday.
Earl Demetrius Overton, aged 32, received this sentence after admitting to the charges of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possessing a firearm, as stated by Margaret Heap, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
In addition to his prison term, Overton must pay a $2,000 fine, $300 in special assessments, and will be under supervised release for three years once his prison sentence concludes.
Court documents indicate that Overton used a U.S. Postal Service key to steal mail from collection boxes. He altered business checks, deposited them into bank accounts, and then withdrew the funds. Authorities also found him in possession of a firearm and stolen items including checks, cash, financial documents, and debit cards.
“This defendant’s sentencing clearly warns those contemplating mail system exploitation for personal gain,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, the Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains committed to holding accountable those who engage in fraudulent activities that significantly affect victims financially.”
“By stealing mail, forging checks, and committing identity theft with a U.S. Postal Service key, Overton compromised the safety and financial security of numerous victims,” stated Paul Brown, the Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence underscores the FBI’s intolerance for criminal behavior, especially when it involves defrauding individuals and institutions with stolen government property by someone in a trusted position.”
Overton was among five people awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in May 2025 to various crimes involving stolen mail, bank fraud and aggravated identity.
