MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Willie Williams, Jr., also known as Willie Gary, has been sentenced to 104 months in federal prison for orchestrating a multi-year scheme involving fraudulent applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and their subsequent sale to community members.
The 56-year-old Memphis resident was found guilty of using the personal information of over 100 individuals to obtain SNAP benefits between May 2020 and July 2023 illegally.
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This scheme defrauded the government of a substantial amount, totaling $626,906.
U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding taxpayer-funded programs like SNAP. He stated, “This sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit vulnerable individuals and defraud government assistance programs will face serious consequences.”
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In addition to the prison sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman ordered Williams to pay full restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Services.
After his release from custody, Williams will also be subject to a three-year term of supervised release.
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