Madera Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Counterfeit Postal Keys

Brian Stan Hindman, 50, of Madera, was sentenced today to three years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of counterfeit postal keys, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court records, on July 25, 2025, during a traffic stop, law enforcement officers arrested Hindman for an outstanding state warrant for burglary. Hindman was found to be in possession of a 9 mm Ruger pistol. Hindman is prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions for which he spent more than four years in state prison. Hindman was also found with at least six counterfeit U.S. Postal Service keys that are commonly used by thieves to steal mail, and several driver's licenses and debit cards in other individuals' names.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph D. Barton and Arelis M. Clemente prosecuted the case.