A Forsyth County woman has admitted to wire fraud in a case involving misuse of COVID-19 emergency rental assistance funds. Shakerra Aarka Jones, 48, pleaded guilty on August 6 to one count of wire fraud, according to an announcement by Clifton T. Barrett, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Court documents show that Jones submitted fraudulent applications to the City of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program during 2021 and 2022. The ERA program was created to help low-income residents struggling with rent or utility payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility required both tenants and property owners to provide supporting documentation.
Jones falsely claimed her business, BAS Tax Service, was a property owner owed past-due rent. Neither she nor her business owned any property. The applications included fake rental agreements, false arrears letters, and forged property management agreements. As a result of these misrepresentations, checks were issued to BAS Tax Service as if it were the legitimate property owner. With one exception, Jones deposited the funds into a bank account under her name doing business as BAS Tax Service. In total, she obtained $135,501 through this scheme.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 24, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. before United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr., in Greensboro. Jones faces up to twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and monetary penalties.
The investigation is being conducted by the United States Secret Service, Winston-Salem Police Department, and Forsyth County Department of Social Services Program Integrity Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Laura Jeanne Dildine is prosecuting the case.
