Nola Reporter

United States Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced the indictment of Tonya Denise Brown, a 48-year-old licensed practical nurse from Tangipahoa Parish, on multiple federal charges. The indictment, filed on September 26, 2024, includes nine counts against Brown.

Brown faces four counts of wire fraud, each related to different alleged schemes. One scheme involves obtaining money through false promises of assistance with state criminal prosecutions while employed at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. The other three schemes are connected to disaster assistance fraud. Brown is accused of defrauding individuals by promising help in obtaining disaster benefits in exchange for money. She is also charged with defrauding the HUD-funded Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program and FEMA's rental assistance program. Additionally, she faces an aggravated identity theft charge for allegedly misusing a notary's identity in one of these schemes.

The indictment further accuses Brown of two counts related to drug distribution. She allegedly used the internet to sell controlled substances such as oxycodone and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and offered to sell oxycodone hydrochloride pills.

Moreover, Brown is charged with making false statements—one count for allegedly lying to the FBI and another for making a false declaration before a court judge.

The potential penalties for these charges vary significantly. Wire fraud related to state criminal cases and disaster benefits could result in up to 20 years' imprisonment per count, while those involving disaster benefit programs like Restore Louisiana and FEMA could lead to up to 30 years' imprisonment due to enhanced penalties. Aggravated identity theft carries a possible two-year sentence. Charges involving false statements and unlawful use of facilities in interstate commerce are punishable by up to five years' imprisonment each.

Each count carries additional fines ranging from $250,000 to $1 million and mandatory special assessment fees.

Attorney Evans emphasized that "the indictment is merely a charge" and that guilt must be established beyond reasonable doubt.

The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Inspector General - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon leading the prosecution effort.

Evans expressed gratitude towards FEMA Fraud Investigations & Internal Inspections Division's Fraud Prevention and Investigations Branch for their support in this case.