New Orleans Man and Texas Woman Indicted for Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, Money Laundering and Federal Drug Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KEVIN THOMPSON (“THOMPSON”), age 39, of New Orleans, and NINA THOMAS (“THOMAS”), age 34, of Austin, Texas, were charged a superseding indicted on December 13, 2024, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(A)(a)(1), money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957.  THOMPSON alone was charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).

According to the indictment, in 2020, THOMAS filed a petition for divorce from her husband (“Victim 1”) in 2020 in Texas.  In 2021, THOMAS and THOMPSON entered into a romantic relationship.  From on or about September 6, 2021, to on or about December 13, 2024, THOMAS and THOMPSON obtained money and property from Victim 1 by fraudulently transferring funds from Victim 1’s bank accounts to bank accounts created by THOMAS and THOMPSON.  To obtain these funds, THOMAS and THOMPSON created an email account in Victim 1’s name then opened several bank accounts by using that email account and Victim 1 or THOMPSON’s address, or THOMPSON’s address and/or telephone number.  THOMAS and THOMPSON then fraudulently wired funds from Victim 1’s actual financial accounts into the newly created accounts which they controlled.  After obtaining the funds from Victim 1’s accounts, THOMAS and THOMPSON made several cash withdrawals, sometimes in amounts as much as $300,000.00, from the accounts that she and THOMPSON created.  In addition to making cash withdrawals, THOMAS and THOMPSON used the fraudulently obtained funds to purchase items, including a Hermes Birkin handbag for $28,796.00 and a Porsche Panamera for $52,890.00.

Also according to court records, on or about June 9, 2023, THOMPSON knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Additionally, on that same day, THOMPSON knowingly possessed a Springfield Armory HS Produkt Model Hellcat, nine-millimeter pistol, in furtherance of the possession with intent to distribute cocaine offense.

If convicted of the wire fraud counts, THOMAS and THOMPSON each face a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.   For the aggravated identity theft counts, THOMAS and THOMPSON each face a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to one year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For the money laundering count, THOMAS and THOMPSON each face a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  For the possession with intent to distribute cocaine count, THOMAS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of forty years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.    For the firearm count, THOMPSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum of life imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of  up to $250,000.00, and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the superseding indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.