TROY, Ala (WDHN) — On Tuesday, April 11, a 36-year-old Troy man pled guilty to federal mail fraud, claiming he defrauded multiple people after posing as a rich man who could make profitable real estate and financial deals.

According to the United States Department of Justice, Jesse Morgan Hinson admitted to defrauding a person in Butler County by claiming he could finance real estate purchases for a 10% down payment, which resulted in the person giving Hinson $66,500.

The USDJ says instead of using the funds to finance real estate, which he could not do, Hinson used most of the money to pay personal expenses and to pay the debts of a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship, and once the victim began demanding his money back, Hinson posed as a New York attorney and called the victim, falsely stating that Hinson would be receiving the proceeds of an $11 million loan, and then threatened to bankrupt the victim by opening competing businesses.

Hinson also admitted to defrauding two victims from Tuscaloosa in the total amount of $124,028.80, which was provided to his attorney and girlfriend over multiple payments, after having someone lie to the victims, claiming Hinson controlled assets in the range of $2 to $3 billion.

A sentencing hearing will be held in the coming months and Hinson could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as well as fines and restitution.