Montgomery Man Sentenced to Over Eight Years for $1 Million Fraud Scheme and Illegal Firearm Possession

MONTGOMERY, AL – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced that a Montgomery man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for orchestrating a mail and bank fraud scheme that caused over $1 million in losses, as well as for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

On August 20, 2025, a federal judge sentenced 29-year-old Joseph Robert Milford to 105 months in prison. Following his release, Milford will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

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 The altered checks were deposited into various bank accounts and the proceeds were quickly withdrawn or converted into debit cards.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 $1,000,238.34.

Additionally, in July 2023, officers with the Montgomery Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Milford was driving and discovered three firearms inside. Because of a prior felony conviction, Milford is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On May 28, 2025, 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.

“This sentence holds Joseph Milford accountable for a scheme that defrauded businesses and financial institutions of more than a million dollars, while also addressing his unlawful possession of firearms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “Fraud schemes like this not only cause financial harm but also erode trust in our banking and mail systems. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and prosecute those who engage in this type of criminal conduct.”

"A primary component of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service mission is to ensure public trust in the mail,” said Shameka Jackson, Inspector-in-Charge of the Houston Division. “When individuals challenge that mission, Postal Inspectors will aggressively investigate and remain steadfast in our resolve to seek justice to the end.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to anyone who thinks mail theft and check fraud will go unpunished,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “Our special agents, along with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate these federal crimes to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail and maintain the public’s trust.”

“These efforts signify what can be accomplished when we work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to combat violent crime,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division. “Through this collaboration, we were able to remove another firearm from the hands of a prohibited offender and habitual violator of the law.”

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Montgomery Police Department, and the Auburn Police Department investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorney John J. Geer, III prosecuted.