Tennille man convicted of threats, slurs and attack on mailman
MACON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A Washington County man was convicted of aggravated assault and other charges after making threats and racial slurs against a mail carrier and later hitting his vehicle with a tractor.
William Charles Franklin, 36, of Tennille, was found guilty on all counts charged against him in the federal indictment:
- Obstruction of the mail.
- Assault upon a federal officer.
- Aggravated assault upon a federal officer.
- Retaliating against a witness.
Those verdicts came Tuesday after a two-day trial.
In addition, Franklin was found guilty Wednesday of a hate crime enhancement on three of those counts for an increased penalty.
Franklin faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $100,000 fine for assault upon a federal officer and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the other counts.
Teen suspects arrested in armed robbery of Augusta mail carrier
Two teenage suspects have been arrested in relation to the armed robbery of a letter carrier in Augusta last year, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The court will determine a sentencing date.
Sheriff Joel Cochran said:
“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. I hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message that those who commit such crimes will be held able and such behavior will not be tolerated.”
How it unfolded
According to court documents, evidence and statements referenced in court, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received a complaint on June 11 and began an investigation into threats and obstruction from Franklin to a letter carrier
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.
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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 Franklin threatened to punch his face, run him over with Franklin’s tractor and call 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, 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 come toward the postal vehicle, and he pulled over to allow the tractor to . The tractor hit the letter carrier’s vehicle, destroyed a stop sign and fled the scene.
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Soon afterward, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and postal officials discovered a tractor matching the description in a nearby field, its engine still warm with fresh damage. The tractor was ed to Franklin.
In addition, two witnesses reported seeing a vehicle ed to Franklin’s wife come to the area immediately following the incident at a high speed.
Warrants for Franklin’s arrest and the seizure of his and his wife’s cellphones were issued on Dec. 5.
After reviewing Franklin’s phone, agents found where Franklin had saved the letter carrier’s picture after the incident on June 11.
They found additional evidence that ed 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 style rifles inside his truck and he was carrying a loaded pistol.
Also this week, we learned that two teenage suspects have been arrested in relation to the armed robbery of a letter carrier in Augusta last year, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
In a national trend, mail carriers are being robbed at gunpoint so thieves can get the master keys to mailboxes.
That’s why two years ago, USPS said it was taking some key steps to keep your mail and its postal workers safe.
Your I-TEAM went looking for those security updates, but it wasn’t easy getting you those answers.
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