Albany Woman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Drasana Johnson, age 28, of Albany, has plead guilty to conducting a monetary transaction involving over $850,000 in stolen government funds, approximately $200,000 of which she used to purchase a residential property. This action is a part of the Trump Administration's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) Northeast Region, made the announcement.

As Johnson admitted in pleading guilty, in May 2023, she conducted several transactions for Asjid Parvez, another federal defendant guilty of stealing nearly $1 million in federal funds, including the purchase of an $878,698 teller check. The defendant admitted that she personally obtained over $150,000 in connection with the offense.

"Hardworking American taxpayers fund countless programs across the nation to aid our fellow Americans, and in this case, to aid hardworking farmers feeding our country. This defendant's shameless actions defrauded those systems and now she will face up to 10 years in prison," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III.

"Ms. Johnson boldly stole almost $1 million from government funds designed to help our farmers," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli. "Americans expect government funds to be used as intended, and this investigation proves the FBI will work with our partners at every level of law enforcement to ensure they are."

"The defendant in this case defrauded a government assistance program made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. The program was designed to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency direct and/or guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations were at financial risk. This investigation should send a message of deterrence that USDA-OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding those accountable who defraud government programs," said Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge, USDA-OIG.

At sentencing scheduled for 11/5/2026 at 11:00 AM in Albany, NY before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Johnson faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.