ALEXANDRIA, La. – A Pollock, Louisiana woman is headed to federal prison after a years-long scheme to steal from her employer. Deonne Drawdy, 50, was sentenced today to 24 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing wire fraud against the architectural firm of Barron, Heinberg, and Brocato (BH&B).
U.S. District Judge David C. Joseph also ordered Drawdy to pay restitution totaling $374,331.30, representing the full extent of the funds she illicitly diverted. The case, built by the U.S. Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan, revealed a calculated betrayal of trust.
Drawdy worked as the bookkeeper and financial director at BH&B in Alexandria, Louisiana, for roughly thirteen years, from 2007 to 2020. Her duties included managing the firm’s finances and, critically, issuing checks to vendors. It was this position of authority she exploited, authorities say. In January 2020, firm accountants flagged suspicious activity, triggering an internal audit that quickly escalated.
The audit revealed that on January 7, 2019, Drawdy issued a check for $374,331.30 payable to Meyer, Meyer, Lacroix & Hixson. Instead of ensuring the funds reached their intended recipient, Drawdy fraudulently endorsed the check and deposited it into her personal bank account. She then used the stolen money for her own personal expenses, a clear violation of the law.
The Secret Service investigation, launched after the initial audit, meticulously traced the funds and uncovered the extent of Drawdy’s deception. Agents pieced together the evidence, confirming the fraudulent endorsement and the subsequent transfer of funds into Drawdy’s account. The evidence presented to the court left little doubt about her guilt.
While the sentence offers some measure of justice for BH&B, the firm undoubtedly suffered significant financial and reputational damage. The case serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of financial trust are not immune to prosecution when they engage in criminal activity. U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown’s office continues to aggressively pursue financial crimes across the district.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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