INDReporter

Man pleads guilty to stealing brother's identity

by Walter Pierce

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Wednesday that Nasar Latif Raja of St. Martinville entered the plea Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill.

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A 41-year-old St. Martinville man has pleaded guilty to stealing his brother's identity in order to launder thousands of dollars.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Wednesday that Nasar Latif Raja entered the plea Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill.

Authorities questioned Raja in January 2012 during an investigation of synthetic marijuana sales at his brother's convenience store in St. Martinville. Finley says Raja used his brother's name and told authorities he was the owner of the store. Authorities later searched the store and found that Raja had a checking account and safety deposit box listed under his brother's name. The safety deposit box contained $219,000.

Raja faces 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A sentencing date has not been set.