THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Six women accused by the federal government of theft of government funds are out on their own recognizance awaiting trial.

The women, five of who now live in Selma, were indicted in November by a federal grand jury. They all pleaded not guilty recently and were released without posting bond.

The women are:

n Darnetta Doyle, 3286 U.S. 80 E, Lot 36 B, Selma, charged with receiving $8,773 in housing subsidies from Jan 1, 2004, until May 23, 2006, by filing false statements with HUD;

If found guilty, these women could spend up to 10 years in a federal prison, pay $250,000 in fines, have three years supervised release and pay a special assessment of $100 each.

Greg Bordenkircher, acting U.S. attorney, has said all of the suspects allegedly paid little or no rent for more than two years by understating their incomes or claiming to be unemployed.

The indictments were the result of a yearlong investigation.

Others indicted, but not from Selma, included Stephanie Fields of Bay Minette, Lynnita Armstead of Greenville and Ethel Howze of Prichard, who was employed by the U.S. Postal Service.