Former Johnston County DSS Worker Who Drained Clients’ EBT Accounts Sentenced To Prison
WILMINGTON, N.C. — A former Johnston County social services employee who admitted to stealing more than $100,000 in food assistance benefits from vulnerable clients has been sentenced to federal prison.
Shermeca McCrary, 46, of Goldsboro, was sentenced by a federal judge to six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $102,000 forfeiture judgment, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
McCrary previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property after investigators determined she used her position as a Johnston County Department of Social Services caseworker to access and drain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) accounts.
Authorities said McCrary unlawfully accessed client accounts between January 2021 and January 2024, diverting benefits intended for low-income families and converting at least $102,000 to her own use.
The scheme first came to light in December 2023, when a Johnston County DSS client reported their EBT account had been emptied without their knowledge. County officials launched an internal review and contacted the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office after identifying suspicious activity linked to McCrary.
Investigators later found that multiple SNAP accounts had been used to place online orders for goods that were delivered to McCrary’s home in Goldsboro. In February 2024, the sheriff’s office charged her with 50 felony counts related to the misuse of benefits.
Her case was later taken up federally, where she faced up to 10 years in prison. The six-month sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II in Wilmington.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said the case underscores efforts to crack down on fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs.
“We proudly join the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in prosecuting this case,” Boyle said in a statement. “This office will continue to hold accountable anyone who steals from taxpayer-funded programs.”
Federal officials also pointed to the recent creation of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, which focuses on investigating and prosecuting fraud involving government benefits.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Johnston County DSS Program Integrity unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes prosecuted the case.
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Need to lock her up a lot longer than that.
Agreed. It said facing up to 10 years of imprisonment and she only got 6 months. Really!!!
50 felony counts of stealing from innocent people equals a 6 month sentence?? No wonder criminals are not scared of getting caught! These judges need to get a grip on reality and make punishing criminals a thing again. 6 months is ridiculous.
Only 6 freaking months?? And who actually believes she’ll repay the $100k? She got off way too easy! She should get, at least, 5yrs for each person she stole from. How many people went hungry because of her criminal, greedy actions? She stole $100,000 from innocent, needy people, six months IS NOT long enough!
She needs 10 yrs. on each account plus, repay the money. Six months she will be out doing the same thing again. Once released she will be living off the system herself … set for life!
The only bigger loser than she, is the slack judge
Pedophile trump should be with her he’s stealing from the taxpayers
Thing to me is the fact this went on for 3 years
She knew the system.
This is why people aren’t afraid of breaking the law. They know that they will only receive probation or a light sentence….if that.
Only six months is ridiculous…what is wrong with this judge????
Oh wait a minute 6 months, Free room and board in prison for stealing $100,000. That’s the amount the auditor could press charges for folks. What do you think the true dollar amount of stolen funds were? I am surprised she received a day in prison. But, Thanks to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department for their help in putting her butt in jail. Also, I am trying to find out how much time she’ll have to pay back the $100,00 and as part of her punishment will a house, car, retirement benefits be confiscated for repayment the stolen funds. trying to find answers. Please post answers.
Six months??!!! As a former DSS employee, fraud MUST BE PUNISHED MORE!!! Otherwise, it will just keep happening because NO FEAR OF GETTING CAUGHT OR PUNISHED!!
SMDH!!!
Imagine that.