Man sentenced for cashing stolen U.S. Treasury checks in the Montgomery area
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – A man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a scheme to cash stolen U.S. Treasury checks in the Montgomery area using false identification.
A federal judge has sentenced 33-year-old Devin Zia Adkins of Marietta, Georgia, to 60 months for conspiring to commit wire fraud. Adkins previously pleaded guilty. Following his prison term, Adkins 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 40-year-old Sylena Christina Salikram of Brooklyn, New York, obtained stolen U.S. Treasury checks and used stolen and fraudulent identification information to negotiate the checks at multiple post office locations in Montgomery. Salikram previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison.
The scheme happened on May 8-9, 2025 when Adkins and Salikram cashed four stolen U.S. Treasury checks at four post offices, resulting in a total loss of $14,229.97. They also tried to negotiate 10 additional stolen checks at other locations totaling just over $8,600, but they weren’t unsuccessful.
On May 9, 2025, law enforcement became aware of the defendants’ activities and began looking for the vehicle they were using. Officers subsequently 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, Adkin’s vehicle collided with another.
During the pursuit, officers observed the suspects discarding items, which 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.
“Fleeing from law enforcement at speeds exceeding 125 miles per hour is not only incredibly reckless, but it also puts lives at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas Govan. “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.”
“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,” said Shameka Jackson, Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division of the US Postal Inspection Service. “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. We would like to thank 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 this case.”
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 of restitution.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated this case, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Metro Area Crime Suppression (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.
— Information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Alabama
