Postal Worker Sentenced for Stealing $750,000

Zerion Marcos Franklin, a U.S. Postal Service employee from Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing over $750,000 in U.S. Treasury checks. Franklin was apprehended after a traffic stop revealed 47 treasury checks made out to other individuals and entities, dated between April and May 2023, which included federal tax refunds and VA benefits. Additionally, police discovered marijuana packaged for sale, a loaded handgun, and over $22,000 in cash in his vehicle. A victim reported her tax refund check was stolen and altered to cash under Franklin's name at a Walmart. Following his prison term, Franklin will serve three years of supervised release and is ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. Treasury. U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. emphasized that while most postal employees honor their duties, Franklin's actions represent a severe breach of public trust.