By Christine McCarthy
WACO- A Waco woman accused of Unlawful Use of Food Stamp Benefits pleaded guilty in the McLennan County Courthouse Wednesday.
Joycelyn Dobbins, 39, signed a judicial confession, admitting to abusing her Lone Star card.
Dobbins isn't the only accused food stamp abuser; at least two dozen more are facing criminal charges for allegedly trading in their food stamps at Swift P's Pizza in East Waco, and then using the money to gamble or buy cigarettes and gasoline.
In July of 2011, a SWAT Team and multiple assisting agencies helped bust owner Phillip Ferguson Haynes on one charge of Holding an Illegal Gambling Place.
Soon after the first indictments for food stamp abusers were delivered, McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna estimated the abuse at Swift P's to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The State recommended deferred adjudication for Dobbins, and Judge Ralph Strother ordered an investigation prior to her sentencing on April 23.
If Dobbins does receive probation, and she successfully completes all the terms of her probation, there would be no conviction and no felony on her record. However, if she violates the terms, her probation would be revoked and she would likely spend time behind bars.
Dobbins is among the first of many set to face a judge for the alleged abuse at Swift P's.
