United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that TIMOTHY M. STRAIN, age  47, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was arrested today pursuant to a criminal complaint signed by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Christine M. Noland charging STRAIN with mail fraud and bank fraud. The affidavit filed in support of the complaint alleges that STRAIN used fraudulent money orders to pay the balance due on two vehicle loans.

The mail fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The charges in the complaint are the result of an ongoing investigation by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.

NOTE: A complaint is an accusation by a law enforcement agent that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty at trial.