WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Wayne County state employee has pleaded guilty to a scheme that defrauded more than $100,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits intended to help families in need.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Deshaune White, 24, pleaded guilty to Theft of Government Property after unlawfully accessing SNAP accounts while working as a case worker for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services.
Officials said between June 2022 and January 2024, White used his position and system privileges to access accounts belonging to qualified recipients and diverted $102,000 in government funds for personal use.
White now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a forfeiture money judgment of $102,000 when he is sentenced later this year.
“What a shocking abuse of trust for a state employee to steal taxpayer money from hurting families,” said Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Officials say the investigation underscores the importance of safeguarding government assistance programs intended to support families facing food insecurity.
