Yankton Woman Charged with Theft of Government Funds and Concealment of Information from SSI Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota:

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Yankton, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Theft of Government Funds and Concealment of Information from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The SSI program is administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration

Tina Marie Jensen, age 47, was indicted on September 9, 2021. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 22, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about between September 9, 2016, and July 31, 2019, Jensen willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, and purloined money from federal departments or agencies: Title XVI program benefits payments made to her child (for whom she was representative payee), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits payments, and Medicaid coverage.

The Indictment also alleges that on or about October 2017, Jensen had knowledge of the occurrence of an event affecting her initial and continued right to receive payment of Title XVI SSI benefits. Specifically, Jensen knowingly failed to disclose a change in her household resources, in order to continue receiving and spending her child’s SSI benefits.

The charges are merely accusations and Jensen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.

Jensen was released on bond pending trial, which has been set for November 30, 2021.