Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 14, 2024
Zanesville Man Imprisoned for Food Stamp Fraud
A Zanesville man was sentenced to prison time for committing welfare fraud over the past few years.
Terry L. Simons, age 33, of Zanesville, appeared on June 12 in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court for sentencing. Judge Kelly Cottrill sentenced Simons to two and a half years in prison for the felony crimes of illegal use of supplemental nutrition benefits and tampering with records.
As recommended by the Prosecutor’s Office, the court ordered a lifetime on Simons using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In addition, Simons was ordered to repay $6,391 in restitution.
Shortly after having been released from prison, in early 2022, Simons applied for SNAP assistance. In March of 2022, Simons began working at a local business and failed to report his income. At multiple times over the next year and a half, Simons claimed to have zero income and to be unemployed. Simons also misled caseworkers by providing false information on paperwork.
On November 11, 2024, Simons continued to tell caseworkers that he had zero income and no job, adding that he did not plan to file a tax return. Caseworkers investigated Simons’ tax status, and discovered he had unreported income from his place of employment.
When questioned about the discrepancy, Simons said he had forgotten that he had been employed and receiving income since March 2022.
Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch says benefits fraud impacts everyone, especially the people who legitimately need assistance.
“Stealing benefits hurts taxpayers and those that need aid the most, Prosecutor Welch said. “That is not acceptable.”
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