LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Tracie Sonnier, 51, of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Michael J. Juneau to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on wire fraud charges. Sonnier was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $335,015.67.
Sonnier pleaded guilty on July 19, 2021 to a Bill of Information charging her with one count of wire fraud. The charges stemmed from an investigation that began when her employer discovered money missing from their business account. Sonnier was employed by Aries Marine Corporation (Aries) from 1996 until her termination in May 2020. She worked as an administrative assistant and had bookkeeping duties at Aries. An investigation by agents with the U.S. Secret Service and the Lafayette Police Department revealed that Sonnier created a scheme to defraud Aries using Aries’ bank accounts, without authorization, to pay for personal expenses. The investigation revealed that her scheme resulted in a loss to the company of $335,015.67.
The U.S. Secret Service and the Lafayette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case.