New Orleans Bail Bondswoman Sentenced for Mail Fraud Conspiracy

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JANET SMITH, age 54, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced SMITH to one year of probation.

According to court documents, SMITH became a licensed bail bondwoman in 1996. In about June 2006, she began working as a bailbondsman at an office operated by Rufus Johnson located at 538 S. Broad Street in New Orleans. Between June 2006 and July 2012, SMITH permitted her name, license, and contracts with two insurance companies to be used by Rufus Johnson, an unlicensed bailbondsman, to operate an illegal bail bonding business out of the Broad Street office.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter, and the assistance of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael B. Redmann and Mark A. Miller were in charge of the initial prosecution. Jordan Ginsberg, Harry W. McSherry, and Brittany Reed were in charge of sentencing-related proceedings and the trial of Rufus Johnson.