NOTICE TO POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF MAIL THEFT AND MAIL FRAUD IN THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
United States v. Hudson, et al.

The United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Alabama announces the indictment of Hunter Hudson, Jr., Ethan Brown, Reuben Brown, Brandon Gage, Kerry Hawthorne, Destinie James, Joey Payne and Keenan Watson in case number 2:24-CR-212-RAH-KFP. These defendants have been indicted for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud. The allegations are based upon financial instruments being stolen from the mail, fraudulently altered, and deposited into bank accounts.  The illegal funds are then withdrawn or transferred from the account. Allegedly, bank account holders were solicited to allow their accounts to be used for the fraudulent deposits and withdrawals. The solicitations were in person, by phone, electronic communications, social media and other mediums. Most of these actions are centered in Montgomery County and Lee County, Alabama; however, related activity occurred in adjoining states. The scheme is alleged to have occurred between 2022 and 2024. All defendants are set for trial on November 18, 2024.

If you believe yourself to be a victim of this conspiracy, you should contact the United States Attorney’s Office. As a victim of a crime in a federal case, you are entitled to a number of rights, including,

(1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.

(2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.

(3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.

(4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.

(5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.

(6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.

(7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.

(8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.

(9) The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.

(10) The right to be informed of the rights under this section and the services described in section 503(c) of the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 10607(c)) and provided contact information for the Office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb and is being investigated by the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and numerous local law enforcement agencies. To receive notification regarding the case and your rights or if you have any questions, you should contact the Victim Witness Coordinator for the Middle District of Alabama, Jackie Vickers at Jackie.Vickers@usdoj.gov. Such notification will include email notifications regarding court dates and dispositions.

If you have general reports regarding mail theft or mail fraud, you should contact the United States Postal Inspection Service.