ST. LOUIS, Mo. (CBS12) — Shamari Jackson, 33, of Missouri, has been sentenced to probation and community service after unlawfully collecting government benefits intended for her deceased grandmother. U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk issued the sentence on Tuesday, requiring Jackson to repay the stolen funds.
According to the Office of the Inspector General, Jackson accessed $13,047 in Social Security benefits that continued to be deposited into her grandmother’s account after her passing. The payments continued because the death had not been properly reported to the Social Security Administration, allowing Jackson to withdraw the funds using the associated debit card. Jackson also used $1,200 from a COVID-19 stimulus payment meant for her late grandmother.
After admitting to her crime, Jackson pled guilty to one felony count of theft of government money. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to five years of probation, 40 hours of community service, and repayment of the stolen funds.
Jackson’s LinkedIn page states that she worked as a funeral home director from 2016 to 2022.
