Ava woman indicted for ID theft, food stamp fraud

An Ava woman has been charged with two counts of identity fraud and food stamp fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri announced Tuesday.
 
Jan Ruston allegedly used another person's driver's license and Social Security number to commit food stamp fraud. The indictment also alleges that Ruston unlawfully acquired more than $5,000 in food stamp benefits by making false statements in her application, including falsely identifying herself.

In a related count, Ruston also claimed she was not fleeing to avoid prosecution when in fact a warrant for her arrest had been issued for passing a bad check, according to the indictment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher, and it was investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.