Sandra Raven, 51, of Laplace, Louisiana, is staring down federal prison time after being indicted on six counts tied to a years-long tax fraud scheme built on stolen identities. A federal grand jury returned the indictment charging Raven with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Raven owned and operated S & R Tax Service out of her home in Laplace, turning what appeared to be a legitimate side hustle into a criminal enterprise. Beginning in 2012, she weaponized personal data to file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS—falsely reporting wages and funneling refunds and preparation fees directly into her own pockets. The real victims? Unwitting individuals whose identities were hijacked without their knowledge or consent.
Each of the first three counts carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. But the hammer comes on counts four through six: mandatory two-year prison terms for each count of aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutively. That’s an automatic 6 additional years on top of any sentence for the wire fraud charges. Raven also faces a $250,000 fine.
The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, led the probe that unraveled Raven’s operation. Agents traced a pattern of suspicious filings, mismatched income reports, and direct deposits landing in accounts controlled by Raven—despite no connection to the named taxpayers. Digital footprints and financial records painted a damning picture of systemic fraud.
U.S. Attorney Duane Evans emphasized that while the charges are serious, the indictment is not a conviction. “The guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” Evans stated, underscoring the bedrock of the federal justice system. Still, the evidence amassed by IRS investigators suggests a deliberate, sustained effort to defraud the government and exploit vulnerable identities.
The case is now in the hands of Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Deputy Chief of the Fraud Unit, who will lead the prosecution. As the legal process moves forward, Raven’s name joins a growing list of individuals who turned tax preparation into a tool for theft—one stolen return at a time.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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