Ponchatoula Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft from Organization Receiving Federal Funds
ANALYSIS · September 4, 2026 · USAO Eastern District of Louisiana
Slug: ponchatoula-crawford-federal-funds-theft
Primary source
- Ponchatoula Woman Guilty of Theft from Organization Receiving Federal Funds — USAO EDLA, Sep 4, 2026
Core Tension
This is a guilty plea, not a sentencing — exposure up to 10 years is statutory max, not an imposed term. Dollar figures are plea-admission amounts, not a final restitution judgment.
What happened
- Rachel Crawford a/k/a Rachel Davenport / Monjure / Haygood, 47, of Ponchatoula, pleaded guilty to 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A) — theft from an organization receiving federal funds.
- As CFO, withdrew about $162,209.61 cash for personal use (~May 14, 2021–May 8, 2025); altered bank statements; about $9,254.81 unauthorized organization credit-card purchases (plane tickets, cosmetic dermatologist); admitted conduct to agents.
- Potential exposure (not imposed): up to 10 years, up to 3 years supervised release, fine up to $250,000, $100 special assessment.
- Sentencing set December 16, 2026 before Judge Greg G. Guidry.
- U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle; AUSA Maria M. Carboni.
Claims check
| Claim | Assessment | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| This is a sentencing | No — plea only | USAO PR announces guilty plea; sentencing scheduled Dec 16, 2026. |
| ~$162,209.61 cash / ~$9,254.81 card | Approximate figures per plea docs | Treat as approx. amounts tied to plea admissions, not a final restitution judgment. |
| Up to 10 years / $250k fine | Statutory max exposure, not imposed term | Potential penalties listed in PR; no sentence yet. |
Coverage
Typically a DOJ / USAO wire reprint. Multi-outlet coverage: not mapped this pass.
Publish-ready ANALYSIS draft · Storm Wire · 2026-09-07 · for /analysis/ponchatoula-crawford-federal-funds-theft