A Memphis man has been sentenced to a total of 104 months in federal prison for a sustained venture into SNAP fraud and identity theft. The convicted individual, Willie Williams, Jr., also known as Willie Gary, was found guilty of misusing the personal information of over 100 people to illicitly gain access to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, and then proceeded to unlawfully sell these benefits within the community, as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee reported.
Over a period stretching from May 2020 to July 2023, Williams effectively ran his fraudulent operations, exploiting the federal program designed to help families in economic distress afford food. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Williams entered a guilty plea to charges of Aggravated Identity Theft and Food Stamp Fraud. Additionally, Chief United District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman mandated Williams to pay back a substantial $626,906 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition Services, on top of serving a three-year term of supervision following his release from custody.
The investigation that brought Williams to justice was a collaborative effort by various agencies including the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz, commending the joint investigation, stated, “This defendant used other people’s identities to commit fraud on an important federal program... Our office will continue to use all the tools available to us to bring fraudsters to justice.”
This vigorous prosecution serves as a stern reminder and warning, aiming to clearly communicate to those who may entertain similar fraudulent activities that such offenses will not go unchecked. "ThThe United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, actively investigates allegations of fraud in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). This investigation serves as a warning to all individuals that SNAP Fraud and Identity Theft will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted by the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and all its federal, state, and local partners that have a stake in ensuring that fraud is eliminated from taxpayer-funded programs,” underscored Special Agent-in-Charge for USDA’s Office of Inspector General, Miles Davis.
Williams also utilized the U.S. Mail in his fraudulent activities, which brought additional scrutiny by postal inspectors. Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge for the United States Postal Inspection Service, Atlanta Division, emphasized the gravity of these crimes and the commitment to justice, saying, “This sentence will send a message that these crimes are serious and that our agency will continue to work to ensure these criminals are held accountable for their actions.” The prosecution's success was not solo but due to the collaborative commitments of several dedicated public servants including Assistant United States Attorney Carroll L. André III and former Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Lewis.
