St. Louis Woman Admits Stealing Dead Grandmothers’ Government Benefits

ST. LOUIS - A woman from St. Louis on Monday admitted stealing from government benefits intended for her grandmother, who had passed away.

Shamari Jackson, 32, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of theft of government money. She admitted as part of her guilty plea that the deaths of her grandmother and father were not properly reported to the Social Security Administration. Jackson used her grandmother's debit card to access $13,047 in Social Security benefits that continued to be paid by direct deposit into her grandmother's account after her death. She also used a $1,200 COVID-19-related stimulus payment intended for her grandmother, her plea says.

Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 21, 2025. The theft of government funds charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke is prosecuting the case.