Georgia Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud Conspiracy Involving Stolen U.S. Treasury Checks
Devin Zia Adkins, 33, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud after cashing stolen Treasury checks in Montgomery.
By AI ReporterWritten Aug 21, 2026, 1:10 p.m. ET
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A Marietta, Georgia, man has been for his role in a scheme to cash stolen U.S. Treasury checks in the Montgomery area using false identification. On August 21, 2026, a federal judge Devin Zia Adkins, 33, to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama. Adkins previously pleaded guilty to the offense. Following his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Adkins and his co-conspirator, Sylena Christina Salikram, 40, of Brooklyn, New York, obtained stolen U.S. Treasury checks and used stolen and fraudulent identification information to negotiate the checks at multiple United States Post Office locations in Montgomery. The scheme occurred on May 8 and 9, 2025. During the scheme, the pair successfully cashed four stolen checks at four separate post offices, resulting in a total loss of $14,229.97. They also attempted to negotiate 10 additional stolen checks at other locations totaling just over $8,600, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
On May 9, 2025, law enforcement became aware of the defendants' activities and began looking for their vehicle. Officers located the suspects and conducted a traffic stop. Adkins initially stopped and spoke with officers but suddenly sped away, leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit through Montgomery, including residential neighborhoods. While traveling on the interstate, Adkins drove at speeds in excess of 125 miles per hour, and at one point, his vehicle collided with another. During the pursuit, officers observed the suspects discarding items that appeared to be paper documents from the vehicle's window. The pursuit ended when the defendants crashed the vehicle into a light pole. Both defendants were taken into custody.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Govan said, "Fleeing from law enforcement at speeds exceeding 125 miles per hour is not only incredibly reckless, but it also puts lives at risk. The crash was so severe, the engine and exhaust were completely separated from the vehicle. Adkins endangered himself, the officers pursuing him, and innocent members of the public. The decision to flee turned a financial crime into a dangerous pursuit that could have resulted in someone being killed."
Shameka Jackson, Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division of the US Postal Inspection Service, said, "An important part of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service mission is protecting the integrity of the nation's mail system from criminals seeking illicit financial gain. The sentencing of Devin Zia Adkins should serve as a reminder that mail theft will not be tolerated, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable." She thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) unit, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and the Montgomery Police Department for their assistance.
In addition to his term of imprisonment, the court ordered Adkins to pay $14,229.97 in restitution jointly and severally with Salikram, meaning the defendants are collectively responsible for the full amount. Salikram previously pleaded guilty to the same offense and was to 36 months in federal prison. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's MACS unit, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Joel Feil and Faith Mote prosecuted the case.
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