A Rochester woman has been sentenced to one year in federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully collecting government benefits following the death of another person.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that 63-year-old Wendy Stone was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to serve 12 months in prison for conversion and unlawful conveyance of government money.
According to prosecutors, Stone discovered the body of a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient—referred to as “Victim 1”—in late December 2022 but failed to report the death. Instead, she used the deceased person’s debit card to access SSI benefits that continued to be deposited into the account.
To further conceal the death and continue collecting the funds, Stone activated a new debit card using Victim 1’s Social Security number and moved the body into the basement of the Rochester residence where the death occurred. Authorities say she wrapped the body in plastic, placed it in a recycling bin, and periodically poured bleach on it in an effort to mask the odor. The body remained undiscovered in the basement from December 2022 through September 2023.
During that time, Stone illegally collected $7,902 in SSI benefits and also falsely recertified SNAP benefits, claiming the deceased still lived with her. As a result, she received an additional $1,072 in SNAP funds she was not entitled to.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani.
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