JACKSON – Two local women have been arrested and charged in connection with criminal activity involving food stamp fraud.

On Nov. 1, outstanding warrants were served on Sharonda High of Severn and she was by Northampton County Sheriff’s Sgt. W. Ransom as the result of an investigation conducted by Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. A. Roye.

Roye’s investigation began on Oct. 15 where High filed a report alleging that someone had fraudulently stolen money off of her EBT card.

Upon investigation by Sgt. Roye it was determined that these actions never occurred. As a result, High was charged with one count of felonious buy / sell / distribute food stamps, one count of misdemeanor food stamp fraud, and one count of misdemeanor filing a false report with a police station.

She was jailed under a $3,600 secured bond, and is scheduled to make her initial appearance in Northampton County District Court on Nov. 21.

In addition to this investigation, a second person, Joyce Nichols of Murfreesboro, was also charged with one count of felonious buy / sell / distribute food stamps, one count of misdemeanor illegal possessing / using food stamp card, and one count of misdemeanor food stamp fraud.

Nichols was arrested Nov. 5 by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office. She was jailed under a $3,000 secured bond and has a court date of Nov. 30.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith stated he would like to thank Sgt. A. Roye for his hard work and diligent effort in this case. Sheriff Smith also thanked the Northampton County Department of Social Services for their assistance in this investigation.

“If there is anyone that knows of individuals that engage in this type of illegal activity involving EBT Food stamp benefits, they are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement agency or the Department of Social Services in your county of residence,” stated Sheriff Smith.