DOJ: Seven former state employees arrested for theft

Seven former state of Delaware employees have been arrested and/or indicted on allegations of stealing more than 900,000 dollars from the food benefit program, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to Attorney General Matt Denn, all seven were employed by the Department of Health and Social Services (“DHSS”) and were responsible for issuing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. An investigation revealed fake EBT accounts were created by the workers and each of the cases varied in amounts of food benefits.

Authorities say the fake cards were delivered to state service centers in New Castle and Kent County and intercepted by the suspects working at those locations. Investigators believe the cards were then personally used or sold at a discount.

Two of the defendants were reportedly indicted and arrested last week, two others were indicted and remain at large, one was indicted and arrested previously and still faces charges, and two have already been convicted and sentenced.

Indicted and arrested last week were:

Detrich Simmons-Heath, 54, of Chestertown, Maryland: charged with Theft over $100,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct. Released on $6,000 unsecured bond.

Kamilah Laws, 39, of Wilmington: charged with Theft over $50,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct. Released on $5,000 unsecured bond.

Indicted last week and still at large are:

Jo Ellen Edwards, 61, of Felton: charged with Theft over $100,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct.

Shirlene Davis, 29, of Newark: charged with Theft over $100,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct.

Previously indicted, charges pending:

Nicole Stevens, 43, of Dover: was arrested in November 2015 on charges of Theft over $1,500, Official Misconduct, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and four counts of Unlawful Use of a Payment Card for stealing $8,092.

Previously convicted and sentenced:

Allison Rivera, 49, of Dover: pled guilty to Theft over $1,500, Unlawful Use of a Payment Card, and Falsifying Business Records, and was sentenced in April 2016 to two years of Level II probation, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,751.58.

Angelette Brown, 45, of Camden: pled guilty to Theft over $1,500, Unlawful Use of a Payment Card, and Official Misconduct and was sentenced to April 2016 to two years of Level II probation, ordered to do 240 hours of community service, and forced to repay the $15,957 she took.