A former Rochester resident pleaded guilty to theft of public money in U.S. District Court.

Lavonya Bess, 59, of Jacksonville, Florida, is accused of stealing $30,000 in Section 8 housing benefits and using the funds for her own use.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Bess applied for Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, when she resided on Flanders Street in Rochester from October 2006 until October 2010. They say she stated on the application that she was a tenant of the home when she actually owned it.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 5th. Bess faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.