NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office supervisor has been sentenced for her role in a bribery scheme that rocked the local law enforcement community.
Sonja Dyson Evans, 59, of Kentwood, Louisiana, was sentenced to five years of probation for using an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity. As part of her sentence, Evans was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, a $100 special assessment and to perform 100 hours of community service.
The bribery scheme, which took place from January 2016 through January 2017, involved Evans soliciting and accepting bribe money from a co-defendant, Shawanda Dove, in exchange for fraudulent bonds used for the release of incarcerated persons.
According to court records, Evans was employed by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office as a Criminal Records Division Supervisor at the time of her offense.
Evans pleaded guilty in March 2021, after which she was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, a $100 special assessment and to perform 100 hours of community service. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Knight handling the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter, saying ‘the hard work of the FBI and AUSA Knight has brought justice to the people of Tangipahoa Parish.’
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and the need for continued vigilance in rooting out corruption within our institutions.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has since implemented measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including increased oversight and transparency.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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