On May 24th, law enforcement officials executed searches at eight different locations in Detroit, as part of an investigation into a food stamp fraud operation that targeted the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) data of approximately 8,000 cardholders, primarily situated in California.
Six individuals have been indicted in relation to an interstate scheme involving food stamp fraud, which is believed to have resulted in the unlawful acquisition of $4 million, as revealed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The alleged criminal ring purportedly duplicated the stolen EBT cards within Michigan and subsequently utilized them for purchases at Sam’s Club outlets in the vicinity of Detroit, as disclosed by Nessel. The accused individuals, namely Travis Newby from Detroit, Derriun Williams from Detroit, and Vanessa Williams from Highland Park, were arraigned on May 30th in connection with the aforementioned scheme.
Further developments occurred on Friday, involving the arraignment of Charles Williams, Darian Palmer, and Rashawn Stewart, all residents of Detroit. They face charges including conducting a criminal enterprise, which carries a potential sentence of 20 years, and five counts of food stamp fraud, according to Attorney General Nessel.
Nessel emphasized the financial toll of highly orchestrated organized food stamp fraud, underlining that it results in substantial losses for Michigan’s businesses and consumers annually
She commended the ongoing efforts of the Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Unit and the ‘FORCE’ Team within her department, along with various law enforcement agencies, in ensuring the apprehension of all those involved in the food stamp fraud.
Michigan‘s ORC Unit and ‘FORCE’ Team are collaborating with seven additional retailers on multiple ongoing investigations into significant cases of food stamp fraud and theft amounting to millions of dollars, Nessel added.
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