Hammond Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of More Than $44,000 in Social Security Funds

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MELISSA KING (“KING”), age 53, of Hammond, Louisiana, pled guilty as charged on September 19, 2023 to a one count indictment, charging her with Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

For this crime, KING faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years of imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.  United States District Court Judge Greg G. Guidry set the sentencing hearing in this matter for January 9, 2024.

According to court records, beginning in or around December 2016, and continuing until in or around March 2020, KING collected approximately $44,696.00 in Social Security Administration funds to which she was not entitled.  

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.