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SNAP Scam: Canton Woman Admits $42K Benefit Theft
HATTIESBURG, MS – A Canton woman has confessed to a brazen scheme to steal vital food assistance from low-income families. Nya Irving, also known as Nya Carter, 25, pleaded guilty last week to Food Stamp Fraud, admitting she pilfered over $42,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Court records detail how Irving, employed as a Customer Service Representative for Conduent from September 26, 2022, to November 20, 2023, abused her position of trust. Instead of helping those in need, she exploited the system to illegally access and siphon off benefits belonging to recipients across multiple states – Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee. This wasn’t a localized grab; it was a nationwide theft impacting vulnerable families.
The scheme didn’t stop with Irving. She allegedly shared stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card data with an accomplice, Velton Taylor Williams, Jr., who last week received a five-year probation sentence for his part in the operation. Together, Irving and Williams used the stolen funds for personal enrichment, lining their pockets while legitimate recipients went without. Irving’s ill-gotten gains totaled $41,587.87 in SNAP benefits and $975.19 in TANF funds – money earmarked for families struggling to feed their children.
TANF, designed to provide a safety net for low-income families with children under 18, was a key target of Irving’s greed. The USDA Office of Inspector General’s investigation uncovered the extent of the fraud, revealing a calculated effort to exploit a system meant to alleviate hardship. The USDA OIG continues to aggressively pursue those who prey on programs designed to help the most vulnerable.
Irving now faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2025, and could receive a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. This case serves as a stark warning: exploiting federal assistance programs will not be tolerated.
The announcement of Irving’s guilty plea was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Deuchler of the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is leading the prosecution, ensuring that Irving is held accountable for her actions. The investigation remains ongoing, and further charges are possible.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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