Woman Accused of Using Inmate’s Debit Card While She Was Jailed in Hempstead County

According to an affidavit, April Pittman reported that her debit card had been used 39 times between September 30 and October 29, 2025, while she was being detained at the Hempstead County Detention Facility in Hope. Pittman told authorities she did not authorize the transactions because she was incarcerated at the time.

Pittman informed Officer Matthew Whitney that she asked a friend, 37-year-old Jennifer Roberts, and her brother-in-law, Dalton Jordon, to withdraw $1,040 from her bank account to post bond and secure her release from jail. Pittman remains incarcerated in the Hempstead County Jail.

According to Pittman, four checks should have been deposited into her account by September 22, 2025. She alleged that Roberts went to her residence and retrieved her wallet and debit card. Pittman said Roberts provided her with a phone number to call in order to unlock the debit card so Roberts could withdraw the funds and bond her out of jail.

Pittman told investigators she was never bailed out. When she later checked her account balance, she discovered it was overdrawn.

Authorities applied for a search warrant on October 31, 2025. The warrant was signed by 8th Judicial District North Circuit Judge Joe Short.

According to records obtained from the debit card company, the card was used on two occasions: once at an ATM at the Hope Walmart and once for a purchase inside the store.

Roberts made her first court appearance on Monday, February 2. Her next court date is scheduled for Monday, February 9. Court records list Roberts as having a Nashville address on Dildy Road.