South Carolina Woman Briana Simmons Caught Stealing Nearly $57,000

South Carolina Woman Charged in $56,000 SNAP Fraud Case
A South Carolina woman, Briana Renea Hunt Simmons, 35, has been charged with stealing over $56,000 in food stamp benefits by lying on her SNAP application. Authorities say Simmons failed to report her husband’s income, allowing her to illegally receive $56,762 in government aid. She was arrested in June and released on a $5,000 bond, according to jail records. The South Carolina Department of Social Services confirmed on July 8, 2025, that Simmons is now awaiting trial.

Federal Officials Highlight Widespread SNAP Abuse
Simmons’ case has drawn national attention amid growing concerns over fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently stated, “SNAP is ripe with fraud and abuse and corruption,” adding, “$400 million of our taxpayer money is spent every day across our nutrition programs, just at USDA.” She referenced cases like Simmons’, saying the Secret Service has caught individuals misusing “tens of millions of dollars.”

Calls for SNAP Reform Intensify
Secretary Rollins emphasized the need for stronger oversight, questioning the lack of work requirements for recipients: “There’s just a lot of work that we need to do. The fact that we’re simply distributing all of this money without any requirement for work from able-bodied, adult individuals seems quite unreasonable to me.”

State Leaders Push for Food Stamp Restrictions
Following Rollins’ comments, several Republican leaders announced steps to tighten SNAP guidelines. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders pledged to seek a waiver to limit SNAP to healthier items like fruits, vegetables, and protein.