March 22, 2010- NEW ORLEANS, LA—KEYONA S. DALTON, age 26, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was charged today in a one count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with wire fraud relating to fraudulent applications she made to the American Red Cross for financial assistance after Hurricane Katrina, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the indictment, the American Red Cross made disaster assistance money of up to $1,565 available to those affected by the hurricanes of 2005 on a one-time and only basis. It is alleged that documents show on four occasions between September 16, 2005 and October 6, 2005, DALTON applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross, each time representing that she had not received assistance in the past. Based on the fraudulent applications, DALTON obtained $3,495 from the American Red Cross.
If convicted, DALTON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.
