Joseph Robert Milford, $1 Million Fraud Scheme, Alabama 2025

A Montgomery man has been sentenced to over 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.

Joseph Robert Milford, 29, was sentenced to 105 months in prison, followed by 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 The altered checks were deposited into various bank accounts and the proceeds were quickly withdrawn or converted into debit cards.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 Kevin 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.”

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdal/pr/montgomery-man-sentenced-over-eight-years-1-million-fraud-scheme-and-illegal-firearm