A woman from Canton, Mississippi, has admitted to stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that are intended to help low-income families purchase groceries.
Court documents show that Nya Irving, also known as Nya Carter, 25, unlawfully obtained and used SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits during October and November 2023. While working as a Customer Service Representative at Conduent between September 2022 and November 2023, Irving accessed SNAP and TANF accounts belonging to recipients in several states, including Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee.
Authorities said Irving provided electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card data to her friend Velton Taylor Williams Jr., who was sentenced last week to five years’ probation for his involvement. Both individuals used the stolen benefits for their own use. In total, Irving fraudulently acquired $41,587.87 in SNAP funds and $975.19 in TANF funds.
Irving pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud and is set for sentencing on December 9, 2025. She faces up to 20 years in prison; the final sentence will be determined by a federal judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Deuchler of the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General made the announcement."
The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General is handling the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
