DANSVILLE – Two Dansville residents were arrested on Tuesday after an investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office revealed that a convicted sex offender at the County Jail was allowing his girlfriend to use his Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card while he was incarcerated.

According to a press release from Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Thomas Lopez, 24, allegedly let his girlfriend, Robin Richter, 56, to illegally collect Welfare benefits using his EBT card while he was in jail.

Lopez was convicted in July 2010 of Sexual Misconduct, an A misdemeanor, for intercourse with another without consent, and has been in jail since October 11 of this year for a Violation of Probation. He is now additionally charged with Criminal use of a Public Benefit Card in the 2nd Degree, an A misdemeanor, and was issued an appearance ticket for Mount Morris Town Court to answer to the charges.

Richter was arrested for Identity Theft in the 3rd Degree, an A misdemeanor, and was issued an appearance ticket for Dansville court.

The investigation was handled by Sheriff’s Investigator Gene Chichester of the Criminal Investigations Division, the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office and the Livingston County Department of Social Services.

PHOTO CAPTION: Top – Thomas Lopez (R)  Robin Richter (L) mugshots. Photo courtesy of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.