Five people have been indicted for using deception to receive nutrition assistance from Wood County Job and Family Services.
A Wood County grand jury on June 5 indicted Sarah Toombs, 35, Beechgrove, Tennessee; Darrin Barfield, 50, Fostoria; Melanie L. Justus, 43, Bowling Green; Kaitlin Jo Singlar, 30, Northwood; and Teresa S. Collins, 61, Risingsun, for illegal use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits or WIC program benefits, a fourth-degree felony.
They allegedly sold, altered or transferred supplemental nutrition or WIC program benefits in a manner not authorized by the federal government.
Justus also was indicted for theft, a fifth-degree felony. From May 1 to April 30, 2023, she allegedly used deception to deprive Job and Family Services of $5,181 in SNAP benefits.
SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget.
Singlar also was indicted for theft, a fifth-degree felony; and grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. From Aug. 1, 2021, to Oct. 31, 2022, she allegedly deprived Job and Family Services of $7,057 in SNAP benefits and $22,585.29 in child care benefits.
Collins also was indicted for grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. From Feb. 5-28, 2022, she allegedly deprived Job and Family Services of $9,268 in SNAP benefits.
Co-defendants Toombs and Barfield also were indicted for misuse of credit cards, a first-degree misdemeanor; identity fraud, a fifth-degree felony; theft, a fifth-degree felony; and petty theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. From Dec. 2-10, 2022, they allegedly used a stolen bank debit card without consent, and allegedly deprived Job and Family Services of an EBT card and benefits.
