Six indicted in Beaufort County food stamp fraud case

Six Beaufort County residents were indicted by a grand jury in connection with the fraudulent use of food stamps.

Nikayla Heyward of Yemassee, Tonda Rivers of Beaufort and Seabrook residents Lavern Blanchard, Qunderia Coney, Shekia Robinson and Alton Warner were indicted after their cases were brought before the grand juries by S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, according to a news release from his office.

The indictments were sought after allegations that a local retailer allowed individuals to use their EBT cards containing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to obtain money or improper items instead of qualifying food purchases, the release said.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Six indicted in Beaufort County food stamp fraud case."