Gilmer Free Press

Elkins: Lena Lunsford Sentencing Set For Tuesday 05.22.12

Sentencing for Lunsford is set for 2:30 PM Tuesday afternoon, May 22. 2012.  in the U.S. Northern District Court of West Virginia for Lena Lunsford.

Lunsford, age 29, pleaded guilty in January to a single count of federal welfare fraud.

Lunsford had been charged with six counts of federal welfare fraud for selling her Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP card.

As part of the plea agreement five of those counts were dismissed.

Prosecutors say she sold $114 dollars’ worth of welfare benefits.

The welfare fraud came to light during the FBI’s investigation into the disappearance of her three-year-old daughter Aliayah.

Aliyah disappeared from her Lewis Count home in September and there has not been any sign of her since.

Authorities have had very few leads, no suspects, made no arrests and have refused to speculate as to what may have happened to the little girl.

Volunteer search efforts have continued, including Joe “The Bloodhound” Nick and Hunter Glass coming to West Virginia in effort to find the girl.

Lunsford is facing a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution.

Lunsford is currently free on bond.