When Selling Your Food Stamp Card For $80 Lands You in Jail

A Sullivan County woman is facing felony charges after she sold her food stamp card, and then tried to report it stolen. 

Melissa Strain, 26, of Monticello reported her SNAP benefit card stolen to the County's Department of Family Services.

Sheriff's Detectives received a call on their confidential TIPS line that Strain had in fact sold her SNAP card for $80. So, pretty much somebody ratted her out, and rightfully so.

Working with the Special Investigation Unit at Family Services, Detectives arrested Melissa Strain.

Strain was charged the Felonies of Misuse of a Benefits Card, and Making a False Sworn Statement. She was also charged with the misdemeanor of Criminal Use of a Benefit Card.

Strain was released on $250 bail pending a future appearance in the Town of Liberty Court.