Ga. Katrina Fraud Defendant Sentenced to 3 Years Probation

Jozell Lois Dickerson, 36, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced recently by United States District Judge Charles Pannell, Jr. on a
felony charge of obtaining FEMA assistance funds by falsely claiming that she was a victim of Hurricane Katrina.

Dickerson was sentenced to 3 years probation with the first 6 months in home confinement, monitored with an electronic device. She was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution and ordered to pay a fine of $2,000. Dickerson pleaded guilty to the charge on Dec. 6, 2005.

According to information presented in court, Dickerson falsely represented to FEMA that she was a resident of New Orleans
when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005.

She reportedly used a false name and a social security number that belonged to another person to apply for and receive two $2,000 emergency assistance funds payments from FEMA in September 2005.