Rachel Watts Sanders, a 40-year-old resident of Loranger, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and mail theft. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson on May 8, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Sanders admitted to stealing over forty checks from the U.S. mail. She forged endorsements on these stolen checks and deposited them into her own bank account.
For the charge of wire fraud, Sanders faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. For the theft of mail charge, she could face up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine also reaching $250,000. Additionally, Sanders is required to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Service's Office of the Inspector General. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine Calogero and Duane A. Evans from the General Crimes Unit.