MOUNT MORRIS — A Mount Morris resident has been arrested on felony charges following an investigation into alleged welfare fraud by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reported that the investigation began after the Livingston County Department of Social Services contacted his office concerning a potential welfare fraud case.
Investigators allege that 34-year-old Victoria Stephens failed to accurately report her household composition and income.
This reportedly led to her collecting $15,669 in SNAP benefits between March 2020 and November 2023, which she was not entitled to receive.
On Feb. 27, sheriff’s investigators arrested Stephens.
She faces felony charges, including welfare fraud in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree, and six counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.
Stephens was transported to the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention by central booking deputies.
She was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part at the Livingston County Jail before Town of Geneseo Justice Bushnell.
The judge released Stephens on her own recognizance, as her charges do not qualify for bail under the New York State Bail Reform Act.
The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office represented Stephens at the arraignment, while the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office represented the People.
The investigation received assistance from the Livingston County Department of Social Services and the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office.
