Natrona County Woman Given Probation For Defrauding Department Of Family Services

A Natrona County woman will avoid prison time, after admitting she received economic assistance at times when she shouldn't have.

Tonya Simpson was given first time offender's status, along with one to five years of probation, after she pleaded guilty to one charge of obtaining property by false pretenses.

The Wyoming Department of Family Services says from June 2011 through August 2013, there were a number of instances when the department had been billed for child care of Simpson's oldest son, who was of school age, when the child should have been in school.

Investigators were able to obtain clock in and clock out records from a number of Simpson's former employers, and Simpson verified her signature on every bill for child care services.

If she completes her probation and pays more than $4,800 in restitution, the guilty conviction will be cleared from her criminal record.