Franklinton Mail Contractor Indicted for Forged Check Scam and Mail Theft

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RACHEL WATTS SANDERS (“WATTS SANDERS”), age 39, of Loranger, Louisiana, was indicted on July 11, 2024, for bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2), and mail theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708.

According to the indictment, WATTS SANDERS stole over forty checks from the mail, forged endorsements on the stolen checks, and deposited them into her own bank account.

If convicted, WATTS SANDERS faces a maximum penalty of thirty (30) years of imprisonment,  up to five (5) years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for bank 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.  WATTS SANDERS also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.  

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.