(WNY News Now) A Killbuck woman has been arrested on many welfare fraud-related charges by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office.
NY’s Little Valley Nichole M. Sponeybarger, 35, of Killbuck, New York, was arrested by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau during an investigation into suspected welfare fraud.
Sheriff Eric A. Butler reports that Sponeybarger was taken into custody at the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services in Olean, New York, on January 10, 2025. The Department of Social Services submitted a complaint in April 2024 alleging potential fraud concerning Sponeybarger’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which led to the arrest.
According to investigators, Sponeybarger hid her SNAP income from self-employment. She is accused of the following:
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Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor)
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Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
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Nine counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (Class E Felony)
After being processed and brought into prison without incident, Sponeybarger was given an appearance ticket and released. Her court date is set for February 12, 2025, at 9:30 AM in the City of Olean.
The accused is deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, just like everyone else who is accused of a crime.