Drasana Johnson, age 28, of Albany, pleaded guilty on July 16 to conducting a monetary transaction involving more than $850,000 in stolen government funds, with approximately $200,000 used to purchase a residential property. The case is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced the plea along with Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany Field Office, and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General Northeast Region.
According to court proceedings, Johnson admitted that in May 2023 she conducted several transactions for Asjid Parvez—another federal defendant who has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $1 million in federal funds—including purchasing an $878,698 teller check. Johnson also admitted that she personally obtained over $150,000 connected with these offenses.
“Hardworking American taxpayers fund countless programs across the nation to aid our fellow Americans, and in this case, to aid hardworking farmers feeding our country. This defendant’s shameless actions defrauded those systems and now she will face up to 10 years in prison,” said Sarcone.
“Ms. Johnson boldly stole almost $1 million from government funds designed to help our farmers,” said Tremaroli. “Americans expect government funds to be used as intended, and this investigation proves the FBI will work with our partners at every level of law enforcement to ensure they are.”
“The defendant in this case defrauded a government assistance program made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. The program was designed to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency direct and/or guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations were at financial risk. This investigation should send a message of deterrence that USDA-OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding those accountable who defraud government programs,” said Parker.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 5 at 11:00 AM before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci in Albany; Johnson faces up to 10 years imprisonment and up to three years supervised release based on statutory guidelines and other factors considered by the judge.
The Department of Justice recently created its National Fraud Enforcement Division (‘Fraud Division’), focused on investigating fraud against Americans as part of President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aiming at eliminating fraud within federal benefit programs.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York prosecutes federal criminal cases and defends civil matters on behalf of the United States; it covers an area exceeding 30,000 square miles across 32 counties with about 3.4 million residents through offices located in Albany, Binghamton, Plattsburgh and Syracuse; it includes about 50 Assistant United States Attorneys supported by more than 50 staff members; it also supports community wellness through outreach initiatives designed both to deter crime and foster public trust—all under its role as a component agency within the Department of Justice, according to its official website.