Sheriff’s Office Arrests Six Residents for Welfare Fraud Totaling Over $9,000

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office is continuing its effort to crack down on welfare fraud with the arrest of six individuals in six separate investigations.

According to the sheriff’s office, all the investigations involved residents receiving foodstamp benefits they were allegedly not entitled to. The total combined dollar amount of benefits between all six suspects was $9,023.

Arrested were:

• Nichole Brown, 31 of Jamestown – Allegedly received $2,749 in foodstamp benefits not entitled to over 16 months – Charged with one count each of Welfare Fraud 4th Degree, Grand Larceny 4th Degree, and Misuse of Food Stamps over $1000; and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st Degree;
• Troy Walker, 28 of Jamestown – Allegedly received $1,552 in foodstamp benefits not entitled to over 8 months and $25 in HEAP benefits – Charged with one count each of Welfare Fraud 4th Degree, Grand Larceny 4th Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st Degree, and Misuse of Food Stamps over $1000;
• Sheri Doverspike, 44 of Jamestown – Allegedly received $1,479 in foodstamp benefits not entitled to over 3 months – Charged with one count each of Grand Larceny 4th Degree and Misuse of Food Stamps over $1000;
• Jane Canada, 24 of Jamestown – Allegedly received $1,171 in foodstamp benefits not entitled to over 2 months – Charged with one count each of Grand Larceny 4th Degree and Misuse of Food Stamps over $1000;
• Nicole Lathan, 32 of Jamestown – Allegedly received $1,050 in foodstamp benefits not entitled to over 6 months – Charged with one count each of Welfare Fraud 4th Degree, Grand Larceny 4th Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st Degree, and Misuse of Food Stamps over $1000;
• Carl Gage, 26 of Dunkirk – Allegedly received $1,022 in foodstamp benefits not entitled to over 2 months – Charged with one count each of Grand Larceny 4th Degree and Misuse of Food Stamps over $1000.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, instances of suspected welfare fraud may be reported by calling the hotline at 1-800-388-5365 or We-Tip 1-800-782-7463.