A woman from Canton has admitted to stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that are intended to help low-income families buy food. According to court records, Nya Irving, also known as Nya Carter, used her job as a Customer Service Representative for Conduent between September 2022 and November 2023 to illegally obtain SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Irving accessed the accounts of benefit recipients across several states, including Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee. She provided electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card information to her friend Velton Taylor Williams, Jr., who was recently sentenced to five years’ probation for his involvement in the scheme. Together they used the stolen funds for their own use.
The unauthorized benefits taken by Irving totaled $41,587.87 in SNAP funds and $975.19 in TANF funds. TANF is meant for families with children under 18 who have limited income.
Irving pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud and will be sentenced on December 9, 2025. She could face up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Deuchler of the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General announced the plea agreement.
The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General is handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
