Nola Reporter

On July 11, 2024, Rachel Watts Sanders, age 39, of Loranger, Louisiana, was indicted for bank fraud and mail theft. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the indictment, Watts Sanders allegedly stole over forty checks from the mail, forged endorsements on these checks, and deposited them into her own bank account.

If convicted of bank fraud under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2), Watts Sanders faces a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. For mail theft under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708, she faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, she would be required to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that an indictment is merely a charge and that guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service's Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Calogero from the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.