Sony Music Marketing Impersonator Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison

A Manhattan federal court has handed down a 6.5-year prison sentence to Meceo Ray McEaddy, a serial fraudster who impersonated a senior marketing director at Sony Music Entertainment to swindle over $1 million from event organizers.

McEaddy, known by the alias “Ray Annes,” fabricated a position within Sony Music Latin, convincing at least 20 victims to transfer a total of approximately $1.2 million for concert bookings that never existed. This scheme began shortly after McEaddy was released from jail in 2017, highlighting his rapid return to criminal activity despite previous convictions.

The defendant’s criminal history is extensive, including earlier fraud cases where he promised investors access to performances by high-profile stars like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber. For those offenses, McEaddy served a four-year state prison term. Prosecutors detailed how, starting in 2018, he adopted similar tactics but shifted focus to the Latin music scene, falsely claiming professional ties to prominent artists such as Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Maluma, and J Balvin. Although court documents do not specify exact artists involved, McEaddy himself asserted these connections during a 2019 podcast interview.

Beyond assuming a false corporate identity, McEaddy reportedly forged signatures of a leading musician to lend credibility to his fraud. These fabrications convinced event bookers to wire substantial sums for concert slots that were entirely fictitious.

The federal indictment was unsealed in May 2025, charging McEaddy with fraud and aggravated identity theft. He subsequently entered a guilty plea, acknowledging his deceptive practices. Prosecutors emphasized McEaddy’s pattern of recidivism, noting five additional convictions for offenses ranging from reckless endangerment to impersonating law enforcement officials.

In legal filings obtained by billboard.com, authorities argued that a stringent sentence was necessary not only to penalize McEaddy but also to deter future victims and uphold respect for the law. The prosecution had requested a seven-year term, underscoring the defendant’s continued disregard for legal boundaries.

Defense counsel sought leniency, recommending a three-year sentence on the grounds that McEaddy had made efforts to atone for his misconduct and was previously misled about his ability to secure deals with top-tier artists. Nonetheless, Judge Gregory H. Woods ultimately imposed a sentence closer to the prosecution’s suggestion.

In addition to incarceration, the sentence includes three years of supervised release following McEaddy’s prison term. He is also mandated to return the defrauded funds totaling $1.2 million. Both the prosecution and Sony Music representatives declined to comment on the sentencing, while McEaddy’s legal team did not respond to requests for remarks.

This case exposes vulnerabilities within the music industry’s event booking sector, where fraudulent actors exploit reputations and false affiliations to deceive stakeholders. It also serves as a stark example of how repeat offenders may rapidly revert to illicit conduct without effective intervention.

While the full extent of McEaddy’s network and the identities of affected artists remain undisclosed, his conviction marks a critical step toward accountability and reinforces the importance of vigilance against impersonation scams in the entertainment business.