A Montgomery man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for orchestrating a mail and bank fraud scheme that caused more than $1 million in losses, and for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
On Aug. 20, a federal judge sentenced 29-year-old Joseph Robert Milford to 105 months in prison, said Kevin Davidson, acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Following his release, Milford will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On May 28, Milford pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud, five counts of bank fraud, five counts of mail fraud and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Fraud schemes like this not only cause financial harm but also erode trust in our banking and mail systems," said Davidson.
According to court records and his plea agreements, from October 2021 through December 2023, Milford and co-conspirators solicited stolen checks from the mail using messaging apps and social media platforms. They then altered the checks to list co-conspirators as payees, often changing the check amounts as well.
The altered checks were deposited into various bank accounts and the proceeds were quickly withdrawn or converted into debit cards. Investigators ultimately traced fraudulent transactions totaling $1 million.
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This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery man sentenced on mail fraud and gun charges
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