Suburban Houston woman charged with wire fraud, assaulting officer and threatening to kill a witness

US Department of Justice, Southern District of Texas, October 20, 2025

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.

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