Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
Brian Christopher Williams III and Kalaijha Tomeco Ranier Lewis have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a counterfeit check fraud scheme. According to court documents, the scheme targeted various federally insured banks and credit unions between November 2021 and June 2023.
Williams recruited Lewis, who worked at the Saint Joseph Street post office in Mobile, to steal high-value business checks. These checks were then sold via an illicit online marketplace on a Telegram channel called “Work Related.” The stolen checks led to substantial financial losses, with their total value exceeding $17 million.
In June 2023, investigators began surveillance at the post office. They observed Lewis manipulating envelopes containing checks and later caught her on video stealing them. She confessed to receiving payments from Williams for the stolen checks.
Williams was arrested at a gas station in Mobile while attempting to purchase more stolen checks from Lewis. Authorities seized over $10,000 in cash from him, along with a loaded Glock pistol, ammunition, marijuana, and additional stolen checks valued at over $417,000.
Both defendants' cell phones and social media accounts revealed extensive communications about the scheme. On June 1, 2023, Williams messaged Lewis expressing urgency for more stolen checks.
Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Williams to 100 months and Lewis to 60 months in federal prison. After their release, both will serve five-year supervised release terms with mental health evaluations and credit restrictions. They are also ordered to pay $234,246.63 in restitution and $300 in special assessments.
Acting U.S. Attorney Keith A. Jones announced the sentences and acknowledged the cooperation of multiple agencies in investigating the case.
The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation with help from other agencies including the FBI in Birmingham.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Roller and Scott Gray prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
