Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.
HOUSTON – A 20-count indictment has been unsealed following the arrest of a 56-year-old Porter resident for fraudulently applying for and receiving a newly built house worth $435,000, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei.
Sharai Poteet also allegedly threatened to kill a witness and assaulted a federal officer. She made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan.
According to the indictment returned Oct. 9, Poteet submitted fraudulent loan applications that falsely claimed 11 people – including seven children and a disabled adult - were household members. As a result of the alleged false claims and aggravated identity theft, Poteet received assistance in the form of a custom seven-bedroom home.
The charges allege the funds used to construct the home were intended for victims impacted by Hurricane Harvey through a program the Department of Housing and Urban Development administered. The home Poteet received was the largest the program was responsible for building at that time, according to the allegations.
The indictment further alleges Poteet submitted three additional fraudulent disaster relief claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for storms that occurred between 2021 and 2024. During the investigation, she also allegedly threatened to kill a whistle-blower in an attempt to silence them.
Poteet allegedly assaulted a federal agent and attempted to flee during an operation intended to seize her cell phone.
If convicted of any of the seven counts of wire fraud, Poteet faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. Each of the two counts of obstruction of justice also carry a possible 20-year prison sentence, while she could receive another eight years upon conviction of assaulting a federal officer. She is also charged with seven counts of aggravated identify theft, each of which carry a mandatory two years which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
HUD-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shalimar Addy is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Updated November 13, 2025