Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a couple from Benton for defrauding the Medicaid and SNAP benefits program of more than $126,000.

The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) received a criminal referral from Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) regarding allegations that 38-year-old Krystle Garcia, of Linton Bellevue Road in Benton, a Medicaid recipient, had underreported her income for purposes to receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

During this investigation, LBI agents learned that in the period between October 2017 until June 2025, Garcia underreported her household income, failed to disclose her marital status, and submitted false addresses to LDH. Garcia also intentionally misrepresented the availability of health insurance through her husband's employer. 

LBI’s investigation revealed that Garcia resided with her employed husband at a residence in Bossier Parish and provided LDH with information indicating she received no income and resided only with her minor children. Agents learned that Garcia’s husband, 39-year-old Cody Simmons, had participated in the scheme. Evidence disclosed that Simmons had private insurance coverage for himself but did not enroll Garcia or their children in his employer’s optional health insurance program. The investigation also yielded photographs of Simmons at Bossier Parish grocery stores utilizing Garcia’s SNAP benefits card to purchase large amounts of goods.

As a result of this scheme, the couple defrauded the Medicaid and SNAP benefits programs of more than $126,000. 

"If you defraud the system, we will find you and prosecute you," said Attorney General Murrill.

On Wednesday, February 18th, the couple was arrested and booked at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison pursuant to arrest warrants issued by the 19th Judicial District Court on charges pertaining to:

• Government Benefits Fraud, LA.R.S. 14:70.9
• Unauthorized use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, LA.R.S. 14:68.2

Their bond information is unknown at this time.

Our investigation is ongoing.

*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.