Byron woman pleads guilty in federal stolen check conspiracy

Investigators reported finding 112 stolen checks and other financial instruments with a combined face value of $395,101.43.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A 24-year-old Byron woman pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme involving stolen checks with a total face value of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Mikela Kendrick pleaded guilty October 29 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal.

Kendrick faces up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. The court has not scheduled her sentencing.

There is no parole in the federal prison system.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kendrick and another person obtained checks stolen from the mail between August 2024 and September 2025.

Prosecutors say they used a process known as “check washing” to remove and change information such as the payee’s name and the dollar amount.

Kendrick advertised the stolen and altered checks for sale through social media, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In one exchange, prosecutors say Kendrick offered to sell three checks for $600. Each check had a face value of at least $10,000.

Investigators reviewed images posted to Kendrick’s social media account and found checks totaling at least $299,789.57, according to the release.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kendrick’s home September 4, 2025. Investigators reported finding 112 stolen personal and business checks, money orders and cashier’s checks.

The items had a combined face value of $395,101.43, with individual checks ranging between $5 and $155,408.81.

Investigators also reported finding blank check stock, bank cards, identification cards bearing different names, printers, computer devices and supplies prosecutors say are commonly used to alter checks.

During a roughly three-week period in August 2025, prosecutors say four stolen and altered checks valued at $1,000 each were deposited into Kendrick’s checking account. A separate stolen and altered check worth $17,550 was also deposited into her account.

41NBC previously reported Kendrick’s September 2025 arrest during a multi-county identity theft investigation involving stolen checks.

“This case marks the second federal prosecution by our office in just a matter of days involving defendants accused of stealing checks from the mail and exploiting hardworking citizens and small businesses for personal gain,” U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes said. “Our office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who prey on the public.”

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Warner Robins Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Centerville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard is prosecuting the case.