A Beltsville man was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his role in a mail and mortgage fraud scheme.

Timothy Reed, 45, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Authorities say he took part in the fraudulent purchase of 25 properties in D.C., Maryland and Virginia using false mortgage and settlement documents.

The scheme caused banks to issue $18 million in fraudulent loans, prosecutors say. Reed and others received more than $3.8 million through the scheme. Reed pleaded guilty in February 2009. He had been charged earlier that month.

Judge J. Frederick Motz also ordered Reed to serve five years of supervised release and pay nearly $4.2 million in restitution.