Georgia Man Sentenced for Hate Crime Attack Against Letter Carrier

MACON, Ga. – A Washington County, Georgia, man who made threats and racial slurs against a letter carrier and then six months later escalated his threats when he hit the letter carrier’s vehicle with a harrow attached to his tractor was sentenced to serve more than five years in prison for his crimes.

William Charles Franklin, 37, of Tennille, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 66 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and pay $5,101.74 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on Aug. 27. In March, Franklin was found guilty at trial of one count of obstruction of the mails, one count of assault upon a federal officer, one count of aggravated assault upon a federal officer and one count of retaliating against a witness. Additionally, Franklin was found guilty of a hate crime enhancement for each of the last three counts. There is no parole in the federal system.

“We will seek justice for victims of hate crimes,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Letter carriers, federal employees and all citizens have the right to live and work in peace and safety. I commend the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service for helping us hold the defendant accountable for assaulting a postal employee.”

“As Washington County Sheriff, I am proud that the diverse citizenry of Washington County works together for the good of our community. I am disappointed when I learn of criminal behavior motivated by racial animus,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. “I hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message that those who commit such crimes will be held accountable and such behavior will not be tolerated.”

“No one should ever have to endure hate-filled rants and violent attacks for simply doing their job,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Atlanta Division. “This was more than an attack on our letter carrier, it was an attack on the community we serve. The U.S. Postal inspection Service will go after anyone who uses intimidation to target our employees and make them feel the full weight of the law.”

According to court documents, evidence and statements referenced at trial, the USPIS received a complaint on June 11, 2024, and began an investigation into threats and obstruction made by Franklin to a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier serving the Washington County, Georgia, area. Under the advice of the supervisor, the letter carrier recorded the end of a confrontation between him and Franklin, arguing about moving the letter carrier’s vehicle. Franklin was recorded using racial slurs against the letter carrier and stated that his free speech was protected. The letter carrier was recorded stating that if he was off duty, such statements and threats would lead to a fight. Franklin responded that they could “square up” right then. The letter carrier said no because he would lose his job. Franklin can be heard getting agitated and aggressive with the letter carrier and issuing more salacious racist slurs about him and the community where he lives. The letter carrier told investigators that Franklin threatened to punch his face, run him over with Franklin’s tractor and had called someone else to come to the location to bring a rope so that Franklin could “drag” him away. A family member corroborated that Franklin called to request a rope.

On Dec. 3, 2024, the letter carrier’s vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run with a green tractor in Washington County. The letter carrier observed the tractor with a harrow attached come towards the USPS vehicle, and he pulled over to allow the tractor to pass. The harrow hit the letter carrier’s vehicle, destroyed a stop sign and fled the scene. Soon afterward, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the USPIS discovered a tractor matching the description in a nearby field, its engine still warm with fresh damage. The tractor was registered to Franklin. In addition, two witnesses reported seeing a vehicle registered to Franklin’s wife, come to the area at a high rate of speed immediately following the incident. Warrants for Franklin’s arrest and the seizure of his and his wife’s cell phones were issued on Dec. 5. After reviewing Franklin’s phone, agents found where Franklin had saved the letter carrier’s picture following the incident on June 11. They found additional evidence that supported the finding that Franklin’s crimes were motivated, at least in part, by the race and color of the letter carrier. Franklin was taken into custody on Dec. 6. At his arrest, agents found two AR-15 styled rifles inside his truck and Franklin was carrying a loaded pistol.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the GBI and the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sonja Profit and Elizabeth Howard prosecuted the case for the Government.