Two former U.S. Postal Service mail carriers, a former Alpharetta assistant bank manager, and a convicted felon have been indicted on federal charges for their alleged roles in a scheme to steal valuable items from the mail, including a $4.9 million U.S. Treasury check, according to an April 30 announcement by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
The indictment highlights concerns about public trust in federal institutions and the security of financial transactions involving government checks. The case also draws attention to efforts by law enforcement agencies to protect citizens from fraud and theft involving official mail.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, “Francina Sutton worked with two corrupt U.S. Postal Service mail carriers to steal dozens of checks, credit cards, and gift cards from the mail and separately conspired with an assistant bank manager to launder a stolen $4.9 million U.S. Treasury check.” Hertzberg added that his office places emphasis on prosecuting employees who abuse positions inside trusted institutions.
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General said, “Today’s arrests send a strong message to anyone who thinks mail theft and check fraud will go unpunished.” TIGTA Special Agent in Charge Joel Weaver stated that TIGTA works closely with law enforcement partners "to hold individuals responsible for their attempts to interfere with our nation’s tax system for personal gain." Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of IRS-CI Atlanta Field Office commented that "IRS‑CI will continue to follow the money, expose these schemes, and shut down anyone who seeks to profit from fraud against the American public." Rodney M. Hopkins of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said that indictments like these serve as "a resounding message" against stealing government checks or defrauding taxpayers.
According to court information provided by Hertzberg, Shanda Goode and Carnisha Hamilton allegedly stole items such as checks and credit cards while working as city carriers at post offices in Atlanta and Marietta between March 2020 through September 2025; they then sold them to Francina Juantez Sutton or others for personal use or further laundering activities involving Tonya Bailey at an Alpharetta bank branch.
The defendants face multiple charges including conspiracy, theft of mail by postal employee, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft among others; Sutton has prior felony convictions related to theft or forgery.
Members of the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
This investigation involved several agencies: United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General; Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; along with assistance from Secret Service and Postal Inspection Service.
Theodore S. Hertzberg held the position of United States Attorney for this district according to its official website. The office serves over 7 million residents across north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs according to its official website, enforces federal criminal laws while collaborating with law enforcement according to its official website, prioritizes prosecution threats such as terrorism or civil rights violations according to its official website, coordinates cases nationally/internationally according to its official website, and is principal federal law enforcement agency within this region according to its official website.
