Houstonian receives prison time for filing over $500,000 in fraudulent disaster relief loans

US Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, February 28, 2025

HOUSTON – A 27-year-old woman has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Khalia Douglas pleaded guilty June 13, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Douglas to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. She must also pay $318,361.11 in restitution. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described her criminal history and how her fraudulent scheme lasted 15 months. The court also heard how Douglas submitted applications for approximately 100 different individuals, and that without her, they would not have been possible. In handing down the sentence, the court noted her fraudulent scheme took advantage of programs that were designed to help those in need during a troubling time for the entire country.

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