AUGUSTA — Six local people were indicted Friday on charges of welfare fraud.

The indictments were handed up by a grand jury sitting in Kennebec County.

An indictment is not a determination of guilt, but it indicates that there is enough evidence to proceed with formal charges and a trial.

Here is a list of those indicted and the charges:

• Kelly J. Burgess, 48, of Litchfield, was indicted on one count of theft by deception June 2011-January 2014 and four counts of unsworn falsification within that same time period.

The indictment says Burgess obtained more than $10,000 over the 2.5-year period through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and MaineCare programs by falsely indicating that the father of her child was not living with her and not contributing to the household.

It also says she reinforced that belief in written applications for benefits within that time.

The maximum penalty for the class B theft charge is 10 years in prison.

Burgess was indicted a year ago on the same charges.

• Chelsey Johnson, 38, of Waterville, theft by deception of more than $10,000 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the MaineCare program and two counts of unsworn falsification July 1, 2012-Aug. 31, 2014, all in Kennebec County. The indictment says she gave the false impression that the household income consisted of wages from only one source and that she paid child support expenses.

The charges of unsworn falsification say she made misleading statements on applications for public benefits.

• Ashley L. Martin, 31, of Clinton, theft by unauthorized taking and misuse of public benefits instrument Oct. 31-Nov. 12, 2015 in Kennebec and Somerset counties. The indictment says she gained unauthorized control over property of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and/or the State Supplemental Program, and that she possessed an Electronic Benefits Transfer card without the authority of the issuing agency.

• Shannon Palmer, 40, of Augusta, theft by deception of between $1,000 and $10,000 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program between Sept. 19, 2014, and Nov. 30, 2015, in Kennebec County.

The indictment says Palmer indicated that her husband was not living with her, not contributing income to the household and not receiving rental income, all of which were false. She also is accused of three counts of unsworn falsification during that same time period.

• Loretta Reynolds, 52, of Embden, theft by deception of more than $10,000 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and one count of unsworn falsification Dec. 1, 2003-Oct. 31, 2015, both in Kennebec County. The indictment says Reynolds falsely gave the impression that her husband was not living with her and not contributing to the household income. She also is accused of one count of misdemeanor unsworn falsification from July 9, 2015, in Kennebec County.

• William Reynolds, 53, of South China, theft by deception of more than $10,000 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The indictment says Reynolds maintained that his wife was not living with him and not contributing to the household income, which was false. Reynolds also is accused of a misdemeanor count of unsworn falsification. The offenses allegedly occurred Nov. 1, 2004-Oct. 31, 2015, in Kennebec and Knox counties.

A separate indictment was returned against Michael S. Gibson, 44, of Winslow, charging him with aggravated trafficking in cocaine base and unlawful trafficking in cocaine base, both Oct. 29, 2015, in Augusta.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams