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United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana
07/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/09/2026 19:09
Ponchatoula Woman Charged With Theft from an Organization Receiving Federal Funds
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced today a bill of information charging RACHEL CRAWFORD, a/k/a "Rachel Davenport," a/k/a "Rachel Monjure," a/k/a "Rachel Haygood," age 47, of Ponchatoula, with Theft from an Organization Receiving Federal Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A). CRAWFORD was charged on July 8, 2026.
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.
According to the bill of information, CRAWFORD was the Chief Financial Officer of an organization that received federal funds. Beginning on or about May 14, 2021, and continuing until on or about May 8, 2025, CRAWFORD withdrew cash from the organization's checking account for personal use and made unauthorized purchases using the organization's credit card. In each of the one-year periods beginning May 14, 2021, May 14, 2022, May 14, 2023, May 14, 2024, and May 14, 2025, CRAWFORD embezzled at least $5,000.
If convicted, CRAWFORD faces up to ten (10) years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release for up to three (3) years, and a fine of up to $250,000. A mandatory $100 special assessment fee is also applicable.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana published this content on July 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 10, 2026 at 01:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]