Jackson Woman Pleads Guilty to SNAP Benefits Fraud

Jackson, MS - A Jackson woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits intended for low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ashley Jefferson, 25, unlawfully acquired and used SNAP benefits from December 2022 to September 2023. Jefferson was a Customer Service Representative Manager for Conduent from May 6, 2019 to September 29, 2023. Jefferson used her position to access and obtain $77,844.43 in SNAP benefits belonging to recipients throughout the United States without authorization.

Jefferson also under-reported her income on her own SNAP and TANF applications. Jefferson failed to report her Conduent income to the Mississippi Department of Human Services from February 2, 2022 to August 28, 2023. Thus, Jefferson received an additional $2,115 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to receive.

Jefferson pleaded guilty to Food Stamp Fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and United States Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk made the announcement.

The United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General is investigating the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.