7 plead guilty to food stamp fraud

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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that seven individuals pleaded guilty to charges of Fraudulent Acquisition or Use of Food Stamps in York County. All seven individuals - Dequitta Fonta White, Brooke Elizabeth Rogers, Victoria Nerissa Alexandria Sanders, Jatonica Denise Williams, LaBrecia Sharda White, Shenisa Paulvette Davis, and Kimberly Angel Nicole Johnson - pleaded guilty to one count each of fraudulent acquisition or use of food stamps less than $2,000. These cases stem from an investigation into SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit trafficking that took place at the Daily Express Mart, a small convenience store in Rock Hill, South Carolina between March 2014 and February 2016. Investigation revealed that the owners and employees of the store allowed individuals to exchange their SNAP benefits for cash and other non-eligible items such as cigarettes, alcohol, and hot foods. All seven were sentenced by Judge John C. Hayes, III to 30 days incarceration, suspended to 2 years probation. Additionally, a total of $9,800 in restitution was ordered to be paid to the York County Department of Social Services. Assistant Attorney General Sam Jones prosecuted the cases. "The partnership between DSS and the Attorney General's Office continues to be a vital component of the state’s efforts to combat fraud and abuse of public assistance benefits," said Amber Gillum, DSS's Deputy Director of Economic Services. "We are proud of the work we have done to prevent and detect waste and abuse in the SNAP program, and to prosecute those who choose to commit fraud."