Man who led $115K forgery scheme involving stolen checks sentenced to prison

ALBANY, Ga. — A Georgia man who used a key to break into U.S. Post Offices mailboxes and mail receptacles as part of a $115,000 check theft and forgery scheme has been sentenced to federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Georgia.

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De’Andre Kenterrious L. McClarin, 28, of Thomasville, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison on Oct. 28. His sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

McClarin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on Dec. 30, 2025.

A co-conspirator, Danmon Jerone Wilkerson, 25, of Tallahassee, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release on Oct. 28.

He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on March 19.

The defendants were also ordered to pay $115,936.05 in restitution.

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Investigators said McClarin used a stolen postal key to enter U.S. Postal Service mail boxes and collection receptacles to steal checks and starting in January 2022, according to information from prosecutors and what was presented in court.

He edited the checks and used a printer to create false checks. McClarin also recruited co-conspirators to take part in the scheme by sharing their banking information so that they can receive deposits of the funds.

Wilkerson was one of those who participated in the scheme, setting up a bank account for the purpose at JP Morgan Chase Bank.

Several banks and credit unions were targeted in the scheme, including Truist, Wells Fargo and TD Bank.

“Stealing checks and forging financial documents is not a victimless crime. These types of schemes siphon money from hardworking individuals and local businesses, causing real financial harm across our communities,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our federal and local law enforcement partners, this conspiracy has been dismantled, and those responsible are being held accountable.”

Six other co-conspirators were sentenced earlier after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy. They had differing levels of involvement in the scheme.

Kemareon Bryant, 28, of Thomasville, was sentenced to eight months in prison and three years of supervised release on June 18.

Jerry Hayes, 54, of Thomasville, received a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release on Nov. 20, 2025.

Jaylen Filmore, 24, of Thomasville, was sentenced to serve one day in prison and three years of supervised release on May 28.

Jelan Hayes, 28, of Thomasville, received a sentence of one day in prison and three years of supervised release on Sept. 3.

Angela Cookley, 25, of Tallahassee was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release on June 18.

Kembrick McClendon, 37, of Thomasville, received a sentence of time served and three years of supervised release on Aug. 20.

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