BRIEF: Dupree Sentenced in Child Care Subsidy Fraud Case

A 2009 investigation into child care subsidy fraud has led to a court ruling against 31-year-old Sharon Dupree of Pahoa.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney announced that Dupree deferred her no contest plea to one count of second degree theft, and her sentence is five years of supervision. A year of jail time is also part of the sentence, although if she complied with conditions of her supervision, she will not have to serve time.

According to the attorney’s office, a special investigator working for the Department of Human Services found that Dupree falsely submitted documents that said that she was making child care payments and was eligible for those subsidies from the department. That allowed her to receive $3,400 from the department. As part of her sentence, she has been ordered to pay back that amount.

A second degree theft charge is comparable to a class C felony. The punishment is jail time up to five years and a fine up to $10,000.