Hammond Woman Sentenced for 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 54, of Hammond, Louisiana was sentenced on January 9, 2024 by United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry after previously pleading guilty to Theft of Government Funds, a  violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. Judge Guidry sentenced KING to three (3) years of probation, payment of restitution in the amount of $44,696.00 to the Social Security Administration as well as payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

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.