Eagan Woman Charged in Alleged $43K Public Assistance Fraud Case
Published: September 26th, 2026.
EAGAN MN: — An Eagan woman has been charged with felony theft after authorities alleged she received more than $43,000 in public assistance overpayments over a nearly three-year period by failing to report her spouse’s income.
Shakira Ernesto, 29, of Eagan, is charged in Dakota County District Court with one count of theft by wrongfully obtaining public assistance exceeding $5,000.
According to the criminal complaint, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office investigators learned of the alleged overpayments in January 2026 following an audit by Dakota County Human Services.
Prosecutors allege Ernesto submitted multiple applications for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning in December 2022 without reporting income earned by her spouse.
The complaint alleges Ernesto told Human Services workers that her spouse had stopped working in December 2022 and did not subsequently report income for him. An audit allegedly determined that her spouse had remained employed and earning income continuously since the fourth quarter of 2022.
Authorities allege the unreported household income resulted in Ernesto receiving benefits above the amount for which she was eligible.
According to the complaint, the alleged overpayments totaled $4,915 from December 2022 through May 2023; $6,796 from June through November 2023; $8,124 from December 2023 through May 2024; $7,906 from June through November 2024; $7,142 from December 2024 through May 2025; and $8,364 from June through November 2025.
In total, prosecutors allege Ernesto received $43,247 in MFIP and SNAP overpayments between December 2022 and November 2025.
When questioned about the overpayments, Ernesto allegedly told investigators she was aware of them and had already begun making repayments, according to the complaint.
The felony charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations, and Ernesto is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.