Washington County man convicted of hate crime over threats, racial slurs to letter carrier
A federal Macon jury has convicted a Washington County man who spewed racist remarks toward a letter carrier guilty of assault, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
The jury found 36-year-old William Franklin, of Tennille, guilty on Tuesday of one count of mail obstruction, two counts of assaulting a federal officer and one count of retaliating against a witness, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Middle District of Georgia said Thursday. The two counts of assault upon a federal officer were enhanced to hate crimes Wednesday after federal prosecutors showed in trial that Franklin was using racial slurs against the letter carrier.
Franklin’s charges and conviction came after a months-long investigation into racist behavior toward a letter carrier that started in June.
Franklin faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $100,000 fine for his mail obstruction charge and a maximum sentence of 20 years and $250,000 fine for his assault and witness retaliation charges, federal prosecutors said.
“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.”
A sentencing date hadn’t been scheduled as of publication. Franklin was indicted Dec. 10.
Georgia hate crime suspect threatened violence
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service began its investigation into Franklin after receiving a complaint on June 11 that said he had obstructed and made threats to a letter carrier serving Washington County. The letter carrier recorded the end of a confrontation with Franklin, in which he was arguing about moving the carrier’s vehicle. He was recorded using racial slurs against the carrier and said his free speech was protected, federal prosecutors said.
The letter carrier told Franklin that, if he was off duty, the threats would lead to a fight, according to the video referenced by federal prosecutors. Franklin responded they could “square up” right then, but the carrier said no because he would lose his job.
Franklin became agitated and aggressive with the letter carrier. The carrier told investigators that Franklin threatened to punch him and run him over with his tractor. Records show he also threatened to call someone else to come to the location to bring a rope so that Franklin could drag him away, federal prosecutors said. A family member confirmed that Franklin had called them and requested rope.
Later in 2024, on Dec. 3, the same letter carrier saw a tractor coming toward his vehicle and pulled over so he could allow the tractor to pass. But the tractor hit the carrier vehicle, destroyed a stop sign, then fled the scene, prosecutors said. Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the USPIS found the tractor in a nearby field with the engine warm with fresh damage. They confirmed the tractor was registered to Franklin.
Two witnesses reported seeing a car registered to Franklin’s wife driving at a high rate of speed following the incident, federal prosecutors said.
Once Franklin was arrested on Dec. 6, investigators got a search warrant to go through Franklin and his wife’s phones, and found a picture of the letter carrier following the incident on June 11. They also found evidence that “supported the finding that Franklin’s crimes were motivated, at least in part, by the race and color of the letter carrier,” federal prosecutors said.
He was also found with two AR-15 rifles inside his truck. Franklin was carrying a loaded pistol when arrested, according to federal prosecutors.
“Violent, hate-filled attacks against federal employees and residents of the Middle District of Georgia will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker.
This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM.
