LUNSFORD REPORTS TO FEDERAL FACILITY OVER WELFARE FRAUD

(06/29/2012)
A Lewis County woman who was sentenced on May 22 for welfare fraud, and was to report to Hazleton Federal Correctional Institution Thursday.

Chief Judge John Preston Bailey sentenced Lena Lunsford, 29, to eight months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release.

Lunsford's daughter Aliayah disappeared from the family's Weston home in Lewis County on September 24, 2011.

The FBI has described Aliayah's disappearance as a crime, and considers homicide, abduction and concealment as possibilities in her disappearance.

Lunsford pleaded guilty on January 10 to one count of knowingly selling portions of her SNAP benefits.

Lunsford must pay $522.82 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition Service.

The FBI has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of Aliayah Lunsford or the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.