Here's a timeline of the 'Judy Justice' food stamp fraud case in Milwaukee
Katrina Weems, the Milwaukee woman who admitted on an episode of the TV show "Judy Justice" that she sold Wisconsin FoodShare benefits, has been ordered to pay restitution to the state.
The case has gotten a lot of attention since 2023 when Weems and another woman, Java'la Elam, were charged after publicly talking about how they bought or sold food stamps on "Judy Justice" the year before. In the television show, Judy Sheindlin, a former family court judge in Manhattan, presides over a TV courtroom and arbitrates disputes. Earlier, Sheindlin starred in the long-running "Judge Judy" daytime show.
Weems now must pay over $1,500 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a condition of her probation in an arrangement that was reached Tuesday, online court records show.
Here is a timeline of the entire case with links to the Journal Sentinel's coverage:
In August 2023, Weems was charged with five felonies and four misdemeanors, including money laundering and unauthorized use of food stamps. Elam was charged in the same case with one felony count of illegally trafficking food stamps.
On their episode of "Judy Justice," Weems and Elam sought to resolve a dispute over a used car sake. But they spent much of the episode discussing selling and buying food stamps, according to a transcript of the show quoted in the criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
On the show, Elam told Sheindlin that Weems was buying food stamps from Elam and others. "If I was to sell her $100 in stamps, she'll give me $50," Elam told the judge.
Weems told the judge she uses the stamps to buy food and also gives the stamps away. She said she bought them from people who "need the money."
Read more: 'Judy Justice' TV show appearance leads to two Milwaukee women charged with felonies
In September 2023, Weems pleaded not guilty to the charges of multiple counts of money laundering and of misusing FoodShare benefits.
Prosecutors alleged that Weems financed the purchase of other people's FoodShare benefits and laundered them by using their EBT cards for herself. At a preliminary hearing in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Judge Brittney C. Grayson found there was probable cause to bind the case over for trial.
Elam failed to show up for an Aug. 25, 2023, court date. A bench warrant for her arrest was issued that day.
Read more: Milwaukee woman charged in 'Judy Justice' food stamp fraud case pleads not guilty
In January 2024, Elam pleaded guilty in Milwaukee County Circuit Court to a felony charge of knowingly trafficking food stamps between $100-$5,000. She also pleaded to a misdemeanor charge of knowingly trafficking food stamps of less than $100.
In court, Assistant District Attorney Nicolas J. Heitman requested that sentencing for Elam be adjourned, pending the resolution of charges against Weems. Elam agreed to testify against Weems during Weems' trial.
Elam was later given three days in jail.
Read more: 'Judy Justice' food stamp suspect pleads guilty, will testify against co-defendant
In November 2024, a jury convicted Weems on six of the nine counts against her. She was convicted on three counts of money laundering and three counts of misusing FoodShare benefits, but was acquitted on three other counts.
In January 2025, a judge sentenced Weems to five days in jail.
Assistant District Attorney Nicolas J. Heitman argued during a sentencing hearing that Weems took advantage of some of Milwaukee's poorest and most vulnerable residents to enrich herself by selling their benefit cards.
Weems denied the claims and said she was giving aid to desperate people who needed it or otherwise couldn't help themselves.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jorge Fragoso ordered Weems to six months behind bars, but stayed the sentence, and placed her on 12 months probation.
Read more: Milwaukee woman who confessed to selling food stamps on 'Judy Justice' gets 5 days in jail
In March 2025, Weems was ordered to pay $1,533.84 to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a condition of her probation in an arrangement that was reached March 4, online court records show.
More: Milwaukee woman who admitted on TV's 'Judy Justice' she sold food stamps must pay restitution
Journal Sentinel reporter Carey Spivak contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about 'Judy Justice' food stamp fraud case in Milwaukee
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