New Orleans Woman Guilty of Wire Fraud for Fraudulent Vehicle Purchase Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that KENDRA WALKER (“WALKER”), age 41, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on June 5, 2025 before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe on June 5, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. 

According to court documents, in 2022, WALKER conspired with her father, Kenneth Richmond, to use fake and stolen personal identifying information to make fraudulent vehicle purchases from a local car dealership.  The vehicle purchases were financed through a financial institution, and several of the loans went into default.  WALKER also made three vehicle purchases in her own name using a fake Social Security Number in Georgia.  In total, WALKER caused the financial institution to approve approximately $216,939 in loans for fraudulent applications.  Richmond was also charged in this case and pled guilty for his role in this scheme in May 2025.

In pleading guilty, WALKER faces up to twenty (20) years in prison and up to three (3) years of supervised release.  WALKER also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Judge Ashe set sentencing in this matter for September 25, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Secret Service, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.