Shamika M. Coleman, 33, Swansea, Illinois, was indicted for making a false statement on a loan or credit application, making a false statement during a renewal application for federal food stamp benefits, and making a false statement during a renewal for federal housing benefits.

The indictment alleges that Shamika M. Coleman under reported her income and bank deposits when providing her truthful income and asset amounts would have made her ineligible for public assistance. The indictment alleges that by under reporting her income, Shamika M. Coleman received federal food stamp benefits and federal housing benefits for which she was ineligible. The indictment further alleges that Shamika M. Coleman provided a federally insured bank with a fraudulently created federal income tax return for the purpose of obtaining a mortgage loan for the purchase of a newly constructed home.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the Government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The crimes of making a false statement on an application for federal food stamp benefits and federal housing benefits each carry a maximum possible penalty of 5 years' imprisonment or a $250,000 fine, or both, and not more than 3 years' supervised release. The crime of making a false statement on a loan or credit application is punishable by not more than 30 years' imprisonment, or a $1,000,000 fine, or both, and not more than 5 years' supervised release.

A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.