Laplace Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Federal Student Aid Funds and Identity Theft

NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that KENDRA GRAVES, age 31, pled guilty yesterday to a two-count bill of information charging her with theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 and identity theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(7).

According to court documents, GRAVES falsified federal student loan applications and used the stolen student aid monies in the amount of $195,432 for her own personal use.  As part of her scheme to defraud, GRAVES applied for federal financial aid at Delgado Community College in the name of 15 individuals without their knowledge or consent.

GRAVES faces a possible sentence up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 as to Count 1 and 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 as to Count 2. GRAVES also faces three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $200 special assessment fee.  United States District Court Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for June 26, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.