Welfare Fraud Arrests

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports Investigators arrested six people in relation to welfare fraud charges on November 2, 2022. The arrests stemmed from joint investigations between Sheriff’s Investigators and the Seneca County Division of Human Services.

Arrested were the following:

Katherine A. McConaughy, age 65, of 2345 Lower Lake Road, Seneca Falls, New York, was charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and Misuse of Food Stamps. It is alleged that McConaughy failed to disclose household income while receiving monetary benefits from Seneca County. McConaughy was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Waterloo Village Court on November 16, 2022, at 6pm.

Cherie E. Smith, age 33, of 510 Route 318, Phelps, New York, was charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Misuse of Food Stamps. It is alleged that Smith failed to disclose household income while receiving monetary benefits from Seneca County. Smith was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Waterloo Village Court on November 16, 2022, at 6pm.

Robin S. Pearson, age 54, of 41 Church Street, Apartment A5, Waterloo, New York, was charged with three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. It is alleged that Pearson filed false information when attempting to gain monetary benefits from Seneca County. Pearson was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Waterloo Village Court on November 16, 2022, at 6pm.

Bethany A. Arnold, age 33, of 941 Waterloo/Geneva Road, Lot 55, Waterloo, New York, was charged with Misuse of Food Stamps and Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree. It is alleged that Arnold failed to disclose household income while receiving monetary benefits from Seneca County. Arnold was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Waterloo Village Court on November 16, 2022, at 6pm.

Sarah R. McClanahan, age 34, of 206 East Williams Street, Waterloo, New York, was charged with Misuse of Food Stamps and Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree. It is alleged that McClanahan failed to disclose household income while receiving monetary benefits from Seneca County. McClanahan was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Waterloo Village Court on November 16, 2022, at 6pm.

Colter J. Morrison, age 36, of 411 West Miller Street, Newark, New York, was arrested on a Bench Warrant for failing to appear in the Waterloo Village Court on charges of Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Morrison was taken into custody by the Newark Police Department and turned over to the Sheriff’s Office. Morrison was held in the Seneca County Correctional Facility and arraigned in the Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Court. Morrison is to reappear in the Waterloo Village Court at a later date.