(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a DeSoto County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Lashonda Smith of DeSoto County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in DeSoto County Circuit Court on February 2, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Smith improperly received $52,053.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household income.

Clay was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution totaling $53,653.00.00.

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

The investigation was conducted by Agent Walton with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrates that our efforts to protect public resources are working as intended,” said Robert G. “Bob” Anderson, MDHS Executive Director. “Every step we take to prevent fraud ensures that resources and support will continue to reach the Mississippians who need it most.”

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

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(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Lauderdale County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Natisha Forest of Lauderdale County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Lauderdale County Circuit Court on March 16, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Forest improperly received $36,860.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household composition and household income.

MDHS recovered $5,065.12 of the original $36,860.00 claim before the court proceeding concluded. Forest was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution totaling $32,885.88.

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

The investigation was conducted by Agent Reginald Adams with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrate, once again, the controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs; plainly, those controls are working,” said Robert G. (“Bob”) Anderson, MDHS Executive Director.

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

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(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Pearl River County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Betsy Johnson of Pearl River County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Pearl River County Circuit Court on March 2, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Johnson improperly received $22,111.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household composition and household income.

Johnson was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, restitution, and investigative costs totaling $23,439.20.

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

The investigation was conducted by Agent Blake Edwards with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrate, once again, the controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs; plainly, those controls are working,” said MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson.

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

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(JACKSON, MISS) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Kemper County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.

Michelle Clay of Kemper County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Kemper County Circuit Court on March 4, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Clay improperly received $30,864.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her household composition and household income.

Clay was sentenced to fifteen years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, restitution, and investigative costs totaling $32,301.00.

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

The investigation was conducted by Agent-in-Charge Kevin Baysinger with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.

“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrate, once again, the controls we have put in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs; plainly, those controls are working,” said MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson.

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

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An Oktibbeha County, Miss. resident surrendered to authorities on April 24, 2025, following a SNAP fraud investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS).

MDHS announced that Deidre Blair of Oktibbeha County received $43,690.00 in SNAP benefits by not reporting household income accurately to MDHS. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the case was referred to the Oktibbeha County District Attorney’s office. The Oktibbeha County District Attorney secured an indictment on April 4, 2025, and Blair later turned herself into MDHS and Oktibbeha County officials on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

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

Agent Hunter Walton of the MDHS Investigations Division investigated the case. The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, deterring and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions of dollars collected from overpayments.

“This investigation demonstrates the strengthened controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.

An indictment is only an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS online at any time by submitting the MDHS Fraud Tip Form at  Report Fraud – Mississippi Department of Human Services  calling the Fraud Tip Line at 1-(800)-299-6905, or email at fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.

A Benton County, Miss. resident surrendered to authorities on April 23, 2025, following a SNAP fraud investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS).

MDHS announced that Amanda Lauren Feathers of Benton County received $18,764.00 in SNAP benefits by not reporting household income and composition accurately to MDHS. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the case was referred to the Benton County District Attorney’s office. The Benton County District Attorney secured an indictment on April 15, 2025, and Feathers later turned herself into MDHS and Benton County officials on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

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

Agent Hunter Walton of the MDHS Investigations Division investigated the case. The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, deterring and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions of dollars collected from overpayments.

“This investigation demonstrates the strengthened controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.

An indictment is only an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

A Kemper County, Miss. resident surrendered to authorities on March 25, 2025, following a SNAP fraud investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS).

MDHS announced that Michelle Clay of Kemper County received $30,864.00 in SNAP benefits by not reporting household income and composition accurately to MDHS. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the case was referred to the Kemper County District Attorney’s office. The Kemper County District Attorney secured an indictment on March 19, 2025, and Clay later turned herself in to MDHS investigators and Kemper County officials on Thursday, March 25, 2025.

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

Agent-In-Charge Kevin Baysinger of the MDHS Investigations Division investigated the case. The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, deterring and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions of dollars collected from overpayments.

“This investigation demonstrates the strengthened controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.

An indictment is only an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

(Jackson, Miss.) -A Monroe County, Miss. resident was arrested by authorities on October 2, 2024, following a SNAP fraud investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS). 

  MDHS announced that Arlean Gilleylen of Monroe County received $38,522.00 in SNAP benefits by not reporting household income and composition accurately to MDHS. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the case was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney’s office. The Monroe County District Attorney secured an indictment on July 8, 2024, and Gilleylen was later apprehended by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. 

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

  Agent Reginald Adams of the MDHS Investigations Division investigated the case. The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, deterring, and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions of dollars collected from overpayments. 

 “This investigation demonstrates once again, the strengthened controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said. 

 An indictment is only an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

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

(Jackson, Miss.) -A Tate County, Miss. resident surrendered to authorities on September 24, 2024, following a SNAP fraud investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS).

MDHS announced that Erica Napper of Tate County received $25,222.00 in SNAP benefits by not reporting household income and composition accurately to MDHS. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the case was referred to the Tate County District Attorney’s office. The Tate County District Attorney secured an indictment on August 7, 2024, and Napper later turned herself in to MDHS and Tate County officials on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

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

Agent Hunter Walton of the MDHS Investigations Division investigated the case. The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, deterring, and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions of dollars collected from overpayments.

“This investigation demonstrates, once again, the strengthened controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.

An indictment is only an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

(Jackson, Miss.) -A Pike County, Miss. resident surrendered to authorities on May 22, 2024, following a SNAP fraud investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Service (MDHS).

MDHS announced that Shantay Vega of Pike County received $26,160.00 in SNAP benefits by not reporting household income and composition accurately to MDHS. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the case was referred to the Pike County District Attorney’s office. The Pike County District Attorney secured an indictment on May 18, 2024, and Vega later turned herself in to MDHS and Pike County officials on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

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

Agent Aaron Rushing of the MDHS Investigations Division investigated the case. The Investigations Division is a subset of the MDHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which was created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, deterring and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG has been responsible for millions of dollars collected from overpayments.

“This investigation demonstrates the strengthened controls we have in place to identify, investigate, and eliminate fraud in our programs,” MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson said.

An indictment is only an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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