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THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) —The final defendants in a south Georgia stolen check theft and forgery scheme have been sentenced to federal prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, 28-year-old De’Andre Kenterrious McClarin from Thomasville and 25-year-old Danmon Jerone Wilkerson from Tallahassee, Fla., were sentenced on Oct. 28 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Federal investigators say that starting in Jan. 2022, McClarin, the lead suspect in the case, used a stolen postal key to steal checks and check information from USPS mail collection boxes and edit or create fake checks.

He would then recruit other people online, including Wilkerson, to share their personal banking information and deposit the stolen or forged checks into their accounts and withdraw the money.

Federal investigators determined a total of $115,936.05 was stolen from about 14 banks and credit unions.

McClarin was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, while Wilkerson was sentenced to 27 months. Both men will also serve five years on supervised release and pay restitution.

Six other defendants have been convicted and sentenced in the case, including:

• Kemareon Bryant, 28, of Thomasville
• Jerry Hayes, 54, of Thomasville
• Jaylen Filmore, 24, of Thomasville
• Jelan Hayes, 28, of Thomasville
• Angela Cookley, 25, of Tallahassee, Fla.
• Kembrick McClendon, 37, of Thomasville

You can find their full list of charges and sentences here.

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