Former Tuscaloosa-Area Credit Union Insider Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former credit union employee pleaded guilty for her role in a wide-ranging account-takeover scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala, Brianna Mckala Johnson, 25, of Tuscaloosa, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to the plea agreement, Johnson was previously employed by Alabama Credit Union as a Member Care Agent. In this role, Johnson was able to access credit union member account information including, among other things, the names and personal identifying information of accountholders and their account balances. From August 2022 to January 2023, Johnson abused this access, misappropriating customer account information and then providing that account information to the administrator of a Telegram channel called “The Lucky Shop.”

The administrator of “The Lucky Shop” channel sold the information that Johnson provided, including bank logins and digital checks, to customers of his channel. The administrator also worked with others to withdraw funds from certain accounts. This part of the scheme, which the conspirators called “Operation ACU,” included depositing fraudulent checks, submitting fraudulent loan applications, and initiating fraudulent Automated Clearing House transfers. It also included using stolen passcodes to withdraw funds from Automated Teller Machines.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit wire fraud is 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Johnson has agreed to pay at least $406,809.96 in restitution to her former employer as part of her plea agreement.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from Alabama Credit Union, the Tuscaloosa Police Department, and the Orange Beach Police Department. The U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General have assisted in the broader investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Canter is prosecuting the case.