MARION, N.C. — A McDowell County woman has been federally indicted for allegedly defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency out of more than $30,000 following Helene's devastation last fall.

Peggy Lee Cantrell, 40, of Marion faces charges of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits and aggravated identity theft after a federal grand jury in Asheville returned the indictment. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced the charges, emphasizing his office's commitment to prosecuting disaster relief fraud.

"Disaster relief resources were intended to help Western North Carolina get back on its feet after the devastation left by Helene," Ferguson said. "Knowing that federal funding is often followed by federal fraud, my office is committed to ferreting out such frau

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