SNAP Fraud Investigation Leads to Plea Agreement in Desoto County

A Desoto County, MS, resident who was charged with welfare fraud has entered into a plea agreement following an investigation by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Investigation Division.

MDHS announced that Syerra Lynks, 36, of De Soto County, entered into a plea agreement with the District Attorney concerning program fraud in the De Soto County Circuit Court on August 4, 2025.

Lynks received an over issuance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ​benefits in the amount of $30,853.00 by not accurately reporting her household composition and income to the MDHS. She was also ordered pay fines, fees, and restitution in the amount of $32,053.00.

“This is a great example of collaboration between our investigations team, County offices, District Attorneys, and local law enforcement,” stated MDHS Inspector General Sandra Griffith. 

The investigation was conducted by Agent Hunter Walton of the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for recovering millions of dollars from SNAP overpayments.

This investigation and plea agreement “demonstrate the controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs are accomplishing their desired result,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.

Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS online at any time by submitting the MDHS Fraud Tip Form at http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/, calling the Fraud Tip Line at 1 (800)-299-6905, or emailing fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.