MACON, GA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Georgia, Middle), published as received.

MACON, Ga. – A Central Georgia woman faces up to 30 years in prison for altering hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen checks and posting them for sale on social media.

“This case marks the second federal prosecution by our office in just a matter of days involving defendants accused of stealing checks from the mail and exploiting hardworking citizens and small businesses for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who prey on the public.”

“This case demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding the integrity of the nation's mail system. Our collaboration with our law enforcement partners to combat mail theft serves as a force multiplier in conducting these types of investigations,” said Jonathan Ulrich, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “If you abuse the Postal Service and exploit the public’s trust for personal gain then you will be held accountable.”

Mikela Kendrick, 24, of Byron, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Oct. 29. Kendrick faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1 million. The sentencing date will be determined by the court. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kendrick and another individual obtained numerous checks stolen from the mail between August 2024 and September 2025. They then completed a process known as “check washing,” in which information on stolen checks, including the payee’s name and dollar amount, was removed and altered.

Kendrick advertised the stolen and altered checks for sale through her social media account. In one exchange with a prospective buyer, she stated that she typically sold checks in bundles, offering three checks for $600. Each check carried a face value of at least $10,000. A review of images of stolen checks posted to Kendrick's social media account showed she possessed checks totaling at least $299,789.57.

On Sept. 4, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Kendrick's residence and recovered 112 stolen personal and business checks, money orders, and cashier's checks. Investigators also found blank check stock, bank cards, and identification cards bearing different names. Additionally, officers seized items commonly used in check-washing schemes, including ink cartridges, cotton swabs with ink stains, antifreeze, water-removal products, printers, and computer devices.

The total face value of the 112 stolen checks was $395,101.43, with individual checks ranging from $5 to $155,408.81. The checks belonged to various payees and with accounts at federally insured and chartered financial institutions.

During an approximately three-week period in August 2025, at least four stolen and altered checks, each valued at $1,000, were deposited into Kendrick's checking account. In addition, a $17,550 check that had been stolen and altered by Kendrick was deposited into her account.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, and the Warner Robins Police Department, with assistance from the Centerville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting the case for the Government.