Montgomery postal workers among 8 sentenced for mail, bank fraud conspiracy

Several postal workers from Montgomery were among eight defendants to be sentenced for taking part in a conspiracy involving mail and bank fraud. 

According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson Hunter Hudson, Jr., 25, also known as “Hunnid K,” of Montgomery was sentenced to 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire, bank, and mail fraud.

Hudson was identified as one of the managers of the conspiracy during his trial. He reportedly caused an intended loss amount of more than $1.5 million and was ordered to pay $987,883.50 in restitution and to forfeit $91,020.41.

The crime took place between 2022 and 2024 when checks were either altered or stolen before being deposited into fraudulent bank accounts. It was partly coordinated through a group chat that was titled “Fraud Academy".

Others to be sentenced were: 

• Brandon Michael Gage, 27, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 135 months in prison after being convicted with intended loss amount exceeding $550,000. He was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $65,000 in restitution.
• Joey Payne, 26, of Opelika was sentenced 108 months in prison after being convicted 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, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 87 months in prison after being convicted an intended loss amount of more than $1.5 million. He was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $17,500 in restitution.
• Keenan Rashaad Watson, 26, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after being convicted with an intended loss of more than $550,000. He was fined $15,000.
• Kerry O’Shay Hawthorne, 26, of Montgomery, was sentenced to 40 months in prison and was ordered to pay $49,008.95 in restitution.
• Ethan Alexander Brown, 23, of Montgomery (and former bank teller), was sentenced to 34 months in prison. According to the statement he was involved in depositing 61 altered checks worth more than $2 million. He was ordered to pay $973,692.05 in restitution.
• Destinie Janan James, 23, of Auburn, was sentenced to 22 months in prison. She was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $89,000 in restitution.

“This case demonstrates the serious consequences for those who exploit public institutions and financial systems for personal gain,” said 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.”