KATRINA FRAUD CHARGED -MAN AND WOMAN INDICTED
FOR THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND MAIL FRAUD

BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama; Roy Sexton, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; and Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today that DEANNA STRINGER and MICHAEL EDMOND have been indicted by a federal grand jury for theft of government property and mail fraud in connection with false disaster relief applications they made following Hurricane Katrina. .

DEANNA STRINGER, (26), and MICHAEL EDMOND(28) both of Birmingham were charged in separate indictments filed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham. In each of the indictments the defendant was charged with theft of government property in connection with a false Hurricane Katrina claim sent to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). STRINGER's claim was made on September 26, 2005 and EDMOND's claim was made on October 21, 2005. Count Two charged each defendant with mail fraud during the same time period. STRINGER was charged in a third count with theft of government property on January 24, 2006.

The maximum penalty for theft of government property is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine or both. The maximum penalty for mail fraud is 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine or both.

"Taking needed funds from true Katrina victims is criminal activity that will be met with prosecution", stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Frank M. Salter is prosecuting this case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt by trial.