Franklinton Mail Contractor Guilty of Forged Check Scam and Theft of U.S. Mail

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that RACHEL WATTS SANDERS (“SANDERS”), age 40, of Loranger, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025 to wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and mail theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708.

According to court documents, SANDERS admitted stealing over forty (40) checks from the U.S. mail, forging endorsements on the stolen checks, and then depositing the checks into her own bank account.

SANDERS faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for wire fraud; and a maximum penalty of five (5) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for the theft of mail.  SANDERS also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Christine Calogero and Duane A. Evans of the General Crimes Unit are in charge of the prosecution.