Dutchess County Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud

A recent investigation by Dutchess County Sheriff's deputies led to a local woman's arrest and two felony charges.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of 40-year-old Charlotte Motts. The Town of North East resident is facing grand larceny and welfare fraud charges.

An Investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division, along with the Dutchess County Deptartment of Social Services’ Special Investigations Unit, revealed that Motts allegedly stole $9,465 in food stamps between August of 2013 and November of 2014. Police say Motts stole the SNAP benefits by hiding the fact that there was another source of income in her family's residence.

Motts was charged with grand larceny in the 3rd-degree and welfare fraud in the 3rd-degree, both Class D Felonies. She was arraigned at the City of Poughkeepsie Court and released on her own recognizance. Motts is due to a return to court in an undetermined date.