United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Theft of Government Funds and Concealment of Information from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI program is administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Nikona Jeffries, age 36, was indicted on Dec. 3, 2019. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on Dec. 12, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or between June 2017 and February 2019, Jeffries willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, and purloined money from Tittle XVI program benefits payments made to her.
The Indictment also alleges that during that same period of time, Jeffries had knowledge of the occurrence of an event affecting her initial and continued right to receive payment of Title XVI SSI benefits. Specifically, Jeffries knowingly failed to report her income and employment, in order to continue receiving and spending SSI benefits.
The charges are merely accusations and Jeffries is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.
Jeffries was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
