Halston Griffin was found guilty earlier this year in the Adams County Court of Common Pleas for the illegal use of food stamps and WIC program benefits, a third-degree felony under Ohio Revised Code 2913.46. The case, prosecuted by Adams County Prosecutor Aaron Haslam, originated with charges filed in October 2023 after an investigation revealed multiple instances of benefit misuse and tampering with records. These incidents included specific instances in April 2020 and April 2024, as well as additional violations in August 2020, March 2021, and October 2022, all involving manipulation of records related to public assistance benefits.
According to the indictment, Griffin engaged in illegal actions involving food stamps and WIC program benefits over a nearly three-year period, from April 2020 to March 2023. This misuse resulted in a financial impact of $27,897.00 to the Adams County Department of Job and Family Services, which she is now required to repay. Griffin’s sentence mandates monthly restitution payments of $464.95 until the full amount is paid.
In addition to restitution, Griffin was sentenced to one year of low supervision and must complete 200 hours of community service, with a minimum requirement of 10 hours per month. To serve her 60-day jail term, Griffin will report to the county jail on the first two Sunday/Monday cycles of each month, serving from 8:00 a.m. Sunday until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
Beyond the court-ordered restitution and jail time, Griffin faces additional penalties, including a one-year suspension from SNAP benefits, as part of a broader push by the county to maintain integrity in public assistance programs.
