Rachel Leah Sitton, also known as Rachel L. Sitton and Rachel Chesser, pleaded guilty on Apr. 23 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Sitton faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the conspiracy charge, as well as up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for money laundering. The case underscores ongoing efforts by federal authorities in eastern Oklahoma to address financial crimes.
According to court documents, from January through March 2021, Sitton conspired with others to defraud Customers Bank and the Small Business Administration using false representations through interstate wire communications. On March 18, 2021, she engaged in a transaction involving more than $10,000 derived from unlawful activity—a cashier’s check worth $20,000—linked directly to wire fraud proceeds.
The investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Magistrate Judge Gerald L. Jackson accepted Sitton’s plea and ordered a presentence investigation report be completed before sentencing is determined by a U.S. District Court Judge.
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma leads federal criminal investigations and prosecutions in this region while managing civil actions for the government; it also collects federal debts and supports trust responsibilities with Tribal Nations across its jurisdiction according to its official website. The office operates facilities in Muskogee according to its official website and covers 26 counties including Adair, Atoka, Bryan among others according to its official website. It is noted as the only federal judicial district located entirely within Indian country according to its official website.
Sitton remains free on bond under set conditions pending her sentencing.
