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Talia C. Teneyuque, a 32-year-old woman from Saginaw, Michigan, found herself facing serious charges after allegedly turning her food stamp benefits into a small business. According to court documents obtained by MLive, from January 2022 to September 2023, prosecutors say Teneyuque used her Bridge Card, which is part of Michigan’s supplemental food program, to buy ingredients for baked goods. She then allegedly marketed and sold those goods on Facebook, generating a profit from what she purchased with government assistance.
Authorities took action after an investigation revealed Teneyque’s activities, and by June 30, they issued a warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody on Aug. 4, but posted bond and was released the same day. The charges were serious: one count of food stamp fraud of $1,000 or more.
Under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, food stamps are strictly for purchasing food for personal use and cannot be used for business purposes or resale. If the total value of food stamps or access devices—such as a Bridge Card—used illegally exceeds $1,000, the individual could face felony charges, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. This could be the reality for Teneyuque if found guilty.
At her arraignment on Aug. 13, Teneyuque was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. During a hearing on Sept. 3, her defense attorney, Anthony S. Gonzales, requested a delay as her regular attorney, Emilie K. Lyday, had recently taken on the case but was unavailable due to another trial. Judge Terry L. Clark agreed to postpone the proceedings, with the case set to resume at a later date in Michigan, as reported by MLive.
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