Latasha Thomas, a 39-year-old woman from Minnesota, has been sentenced to a year in prison after being convicted of mail fraud in a scheme that defrauded the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of more than $325,000. According to U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, Thomas conspired with her daughter, Ambrosia, and another relative, Cynthia Thomas, to unlawfully obtain Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which are provided to eligible applicants to assist with food purchases. The fraudulent activities were reported to have occurred over two years, highlighting a significant breach of trust in the federal assistance program.

The trio engaged in a sophisticated scheme that involved creating fake Minnesota temporary driver’s licenses with false names and pictures of the individual Thomases. These counterfeit documents were then submitted to Hennepin County in their applications for EBT cards. The fraudulent approach allowed them to deceitfully increase their SNAP benefits despite not being eligible for such assistance. The findings reveal how easy it can be to exploit systems meant to support vulnerable populations, raising concerns about the integrity of the welfare programs.

In addition to her prison sentence, Latasha Thomas will owe restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture. This case serves as a strong reminder of the consequences of welfare fraud and reinforces the necessity for vigilance in monitoring and preventing such fraudulent activities in government assistance programs. The Justice Department's commitment to pursuing and prosecuting such cases is vital for maintaining public trust in the welfare system and ensuring assistance reaches those who truly need it.