A Minnesota woman has been sentenced to one year in prison for defrauding the federal government out of over $325,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Latasha Thomas, 39, was convicted of mail fraud and will also have to repay the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen.
Thomas, along with her daughter Ambrosia and another relative, Cynthia, engaged in a scheme over two years to illegally acquire Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. These cards are provided by state agencies to those eligible for SNAP benefits, which are loaded monthly.
Federal prosecutors revealed that the trio used fake names to create counterfeit Minnesota driver’s licenses. These fake licenses were submitted to Hennepin County when they applied for the EBT cards. They also claimed that Latasha was experiencing a “high-risk pregnancy,” hoping this would increase her SNAP benefits if she remained on bed rest. To further their deceit, they submitted falsified doctor’s notes.
Authorities reported that the EBT cards were sent to Cynthia’s apartment in Roseville, where she was living under a false name, Sophia Gold, associated with one of the fraudulent cards. When law enforcement searched the apartment, they discovered various items addressed to the phony names tied to the scheme. They even found a note in the mailbox suggesting that certain mail intended for these false identities should be delivered to Cynthia’s residence.
The three withdrew government funds from ATMs and made purchases, but it didn’t stop there. They also marketed their EBT card usage to various individuals, allowing people to receive EBT cards, spend part of their benefits, then return the cards. Typically, users were expected to pay the conspirators a fee of 50% to 60% of the amount used.
After completing her prison term, Thomas must repay $325,159 to the Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, Cynthia Thomas had already been convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was sentenced to three years of probation last December. Ambrosia Thomas has opted to plead guilty to mail fraud, with her case still in the preliminary stages.
