Alexandria woman pleads guilty to stealing deceased grandmother’s Social Security benefits

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a woman from Alexandria pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $36,000 in Social Security benefits.

Keyoka Jynes, 36, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of government property.  According to the guilty plea, Jynes stole $36,442 of supplemental Social Security income benefits from April 2008 until December 2013. Jynes did not notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) that her grandmother died in March 2008 and continued to receive her SSA benefits through 2013.

Jynes faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution.  A sentencing date of September 26, 2016 was set.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. Cowles Jr. is prosecuting the case.