Final Sentencing Announced in Multi-State Mail and Bank Fraud Conspiracy Involving Postal Workers

Montgomery, AL – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the final sentencing in a wide-ranging conspiracy involving eight defendants convicted of wire, bank, and mail fraud. The convictions stem from an investigation into widespread mail theft and check fraud, which included the earlier prosecutions of two Montgomery-area postal workers.

On May 6, 2025, 25-year-old Hunter Hudson, Jr., also known as “Hunnid K,” from Montgomery, Alabama, received a sentence of 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire, bank, and mail fraud. Hudson was identified as a manager within the conspiracy and based on his conduct, caused an intended loss amount of more than $1.5 million. He was ordered to pay $987,883.50 in restitution and to forfeit $91,020.41.

The conspiracy, which took place between 2022 and 2024, involved the theft and alteration of checks that were then deposited into numerous fraudulent bank accounts. Part of the conspiracy was coordinated through a group chat titled “Fraud Academy,” as named by one of the conspirators.

The other individuals involved in the conspiracy previously received the following sentences:

• Brandon Michael Gage, 27, also from Montgomery, was sentenced to 135 months in prison. He was also identified as a manager within the conspiracy, with an intended loss amount exceeding $550,000. Gage was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $65,000 in restitution.
• Joey Payne, 26, a resident of Opelika, Alabama, received a sentence of 108 months in prison. Like Hudson and Gage, Payne was also a manager in the scheme with an intended loss amount over $550,000. He was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $101,556.97 in restitution.
• Reuben Kristian Brown, 26, another Montgomery resident, was sentenced to 87 months in prison. He acted as a manager in the conspiracy and had an intended loss amount of more than $1.5 million. Brown was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $17,500 in restitution.
• Keenan Rashaad Watson, 26, also from Montgomery, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. A manager in the conspiracy, Watson was associated with an intended loss of over $550,000. He was fined $15,000.
• Kerry O’Shay Hawthorne, 26, another resident of Montgomery, received a sentence of 40 months in prison and was ordered to pay $49,008.95 in restitution.
• Ethan Alexander Brown, 23, a former bank teller from Montgomery, was sentenced to 34 months in prison. He was directly involved in depositing 61 altered checks worth more than $2 million. He was ordered to pay $973,692.05 in restitution to his employer.
• Destinie Janan James, 23, a resident of Auburn, Alabama, was sentenced to 22 months in prison. She was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $89,000 in restitution.

Although these sentences mark the conclusion of this indictment, the investigation is ongoing.

“This case demonstrates the serious consequences for those who exploit public institutions and financial systems for personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “Thanks to the dedication of our law enforcement partners, we were able to dismantle a complex criminal network and hold each participant accountable. We remain committed to pursuing those who defraud the public and threaten the integrity of our postal and banking systems.”

“These convictions are a testament to the dedication of the investigative and legal teams and should send a strong message to any employee who thinks of conspiring with others to steal mail and commit check fraud,” said Tammy Hull, Inspector General U.S. Postal Service. “Our special agents, working with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate these criminal activities, protecting the integrity of the Postal Service and the U.S. Mail.”

“The United States Postal Service is a vital and trusted institution,” said Timothy J. O’Malley, Acting Special Agent in Charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “Any attempt to exploit our postal or banking systems is a serious violation of the public’s trust. These actions will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Protecting the integrity of our postal and financial systems is essential and non-negotiable.”

“The sentencing in this case should serve notice to criminals that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from unlawful activity,” said Shameka Jackson, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Houston Division. “I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved, which resulted in bringing Hunter Hudson, Jr. and the other co-defendants to justice.”

This extensive investigation was led by the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, with Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuting the case.

Additional support was provided by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Prattville Police Department, Harris County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, Meriwether County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Troopers, Venice (FL) Police Department, and the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.