SENTENCE IN FELONY WELFARE FRAUD CASE

DELHI- Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Kellie Sanderson, 46, of Walton, New York, appeared in Delaware County Court on March 4, 2024, to be sentenced on her conviction of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony.

Sanderson previously pleaded guilty to Felony Welfare Fraud on January 2, 2024, after admitting that she falsely reported her income to obtain public assistance benefits she was not entitled to.  

The defendant appeared in County Court for sentencing on March 4, 2024.  The Honorable John L. Hubbard sentenced the defendant to 5 years of felony probation supervision, with a specific condition of probation being that she must pay restitution to the Delaware County Department of Social Services.  The defendant was also ordered to provide a sample of her DNA for inclusion in the New York State DNA data bank and pay the $50.00 DNA fee.  

As a result of her felony welfare fraud conviction, the defendant is disqualified from applying for or receiving temporary assistance for 18 months.  She is further disqualified from SNAP (food stamps) for 24 months.  This is the defendant’s second conviction for welfare fraud- she was previously convicted of misdemeanor welfare fraud in 2014. 

District Attorney Smith commended the work of the Department of Social Services. “I want to thank Investigator Richard Gerace for his thorough investigation into this case. My office will continue to zealously prosecute individuals that steal from public assistance programs.” 

If you suspect someone of committing welfare fraud, please call the fraud hotline at 607-832-5404. 

Shawn J. Smith 

District Attorney 

Delaware County