GREENSBORO, N.C. – Two High Point women are facing federal prison time after admitting they ran a brazen scheme to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps. Ingram and Mary Frances Ingram, sisters and owners of Becky’s and Mary’s Restaurant, copped a plea deal in federal court today, admitting to years of illicit activity.
Acting United States Attorney Sandra Hairston announced the guilty pleas entered before United States District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder. The Ingrams, both of High Point, NC, now await sentencing on August 22, 2017, at 2 p.m. Each sister faces a potential five-year stretch behind bars and a hefty fine of up to $250,000.00. The judge can also order them to pay back any money stolen from the program.
The scam was simple, yet widespread. The Ingrams used EBT cards – belonging to individuals who weren’t even dining at their establishment – to purchase food for Becky’s and Mary’s Restaurant. Investigators uncovered evidence that, between January 2015 and October 2016, the sisters and their accomplices swiped over 180 different EBT cards, effectively turning food assistance funds into restaurant revenue. A November 29, 2016, raid on the restaurant yielded 21 EBT cards and a disturbing ledger detailing names, card numbers, and PINs – none of which belonged to the Ingrams themselves.
“USDA-OIG is dedicated to working with its federal, state, and local partners to investigate schemes that are devised by criminals to defraud our programs and the American taxpayer,” stated Karen Citizen-Wilcox, Special Agent-in-Charge for USDA-OIG. “These sisters utilized a supplying scheme to traffic in EBT benefits by illegally obtaining recipients’ EBT cards and purchasing supplies for their restaurant with those cards. In exchange, EBT recipients were paid a reduced amount in cash for use of their cards. The prosecution of these sisters should serve as a strong message that fraud in USDA programs will not be tolerated.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the High Point Police Department and the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Anand Ramaswamy skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case against the sisters. This isn’t just about stolen money; it’s about depriving those genuinely in need of vital assistance.
The Ingrams’ operation highlights a persistent vulnerability in the SNAP system, and authorities are vowing to crack down on similar schemes. While the sisters await their fate, this case serves as a stark warning: exploiting federal programs for personal gain will be met with swift and severe consequences. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Related Federal Cases
- Kimberly Hobson Pleads Guilty to $3M Fraud at High Point Hospital · North Carolina
- Tax Ghost Nabbed: $2.1M Fraud · North Carolina
- Ricky Costello Williams Sentenced in Tax Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- Frank Alton Moody II Pleads Guilty to $2M Payroll Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
- Jamel ‘Goo’ Yates Gets 3 Years in $1.3M Wire Fraud Scheme · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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