Detroit couple pleads guilty in $1.1M food benefit fraud case

Federal investigators said a Detroit couple used stolen identities from victims across the country to fraudulently secure Michigan food assistance benefits totaling at least $1.1 million. 34-year-old Kirk Woodley and his girlfriend, 31-year-old Chantel Peavy, both of Detroit, were each charged with five counts: food stamp fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. They both pleaded guilty to fewer counts: Woodley, who had already been in jail on other charges, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy and Aggravated Identity Theft, while Peavy pleaded guilty to Conspiracy.