Georgia Man Found Guilty of Hate Crime and Assault Against Postal Worker

A Washington County man was found guilty of multiple charges, including a hate crime enhancement, after making threats and striking a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier’s vehicle with a tractor.

William Charles Franklin, 36, of Tennille, Georgia, was convicted on March 11, 2025, for obstruction of the mails, assault upon a federal officer, aggravated assault upon a federal officer, and retaliating against a witness. On March 12, a jury found Franklin guilty of a hate crime enhancement for the assault, aggravated assault, and retaliation charges.

June 11, 2024 – Initial Confrontation
According to court documents, the incident began on June 11, 2024, when Franklin confronted the letter carrier while he was delivering mail in Washington County. Franklin reportedly used racial slurs and told the postal worker he “didn’t belong” in the area. The letter carrier, who was advised by his supervisor to record the exchange, captured Franklin’s escalating behavior.

In the recording, Franklin can be heard threatening to “punch [the letter carrier] in the face,” “run him over with his tractor,” and “drag [him] away with a rope.” The letter carrier later reported that Franklin called a relative during the confrontation, asking them to bring a rope to the scene.

The letter carrier reported the incident to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which began an investigation.

December 3, 2024 – Tractor Collision
Six months later, on Dec. 3, 2024, Franklin’s threats escalated. The letter carrier was driving his USPS vehicle when Franklin approached him in a green tractor. The letter carrier pulled over to allow the tractor to pass, but Franklin intentionally struck the mail vehicle, causing damage. Franklin then hit a nearby stop sign before fleeing the scene.

Washington County deputies and U.S. Postal Inspectors responded to the scene and found the damaged tractor abandoned in a nearby field. The engine was still warm, and witnesses reported seeing a vehicle registered to Franklin’s wife speeding away from the area immediately after the incident.

Arrest and Investigation
Franklin was arrested on Dec. 6, 2024. Agents seized his and his wife’s cell phones, which revealed Franklin had saved a photo of the letter carrier following the initial June confrontation.

At the time of his arrest, Franklin was carrying a loaded pistol, and investigators found two AR-15-style rifles inside his vehicle.

Prosecution and Sentencing
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Franklin’s repeated threats and racially motivated behavior. The jury found Franklin guilty on all counts.

Franklin faces up to six months in prison and a $100,000 fine for the obstruction charge. He also faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the assault, aggravated assault, and retaliation charges, which carry the hate crime enhancement.

U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell will set a sentencing date.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the GBI and U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sonja Profit and Elizabeth Howard are prosecuting the case.