Gwinett store owner sentenced in food stamp fraud scheme

ATLANTA (AP) Federal prosecutors say a Gwinnett County convenience store owner has been sentenced in a WIC and food stamp fraud scheme.

Authorities said Tuesday that 47-year-old Terry Stinson of Grayson was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison. Authorities say Stinson operated six stores and paid cash for WIC vouchers and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits between 2009 and 2011.

Authorities say the fraud was uncovered after one of Stinson's stores was robbed. Prosecutors say an investigation was launched and Stinson's employees paid cash to an undercover agent posing as a WIC benefit recipient.

Prosecutors say Stinson is also ordered to pay more than $800,000 in restitution.