Ricky Miller, Jr., Mail Fraud, New York 2023

Rochester Man Sentenced for Role in Money Mule Scheme

In a shocking turn of events, Ricky Miller, Jr., a 58-year-old custodian with the Rochester City School District, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for his role in a brazen money mule scheme that targeted elderly individuals.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, Miller and co-defendant Charles Hanks served as ‘money mules’ for a Jamaican group that operated a fraudulent sweepstakes telemarketing scheme. The scheme, which was designed to part victims from their hard-earned cash, involved telephone calls claiming that the recipients had won a sweepstakes prize or lottery.

Victims were asked to pay an upfront fee in order to release the purported winnings, with Miller and Hanks acting as points of contact in the United States to receive the money from the victims, which they then sent to Jamaica after taking a substantial cut.

Miller was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and was also ordered to pay restitution of approximately $105,000 to the victims of the fraud scheme. Co-defendant Charles Hanks was also convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison.

The investigation into Miller’s activities was led by the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski, Boston Division.

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced the sentencing, stating that Miller’s actions were a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a public servant.

Miller’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that those who engage in such schemes will be held accountable for their actions, and that the public will not tolerate such brazen crimes.

As the investigation into Miller’s activities continues, it is clear that the consequences of his actions will be severe, and that justice will be served.

Related Federal Cases