U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Over $3 Million In Fraudulent SNAP Benefits Uncovered In Ongoing Fraud Crackdown (Photo) - 10/21/26
PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon today announced at least 40 people are facing federal charges for conspiring to defraud the United States of more than $3 million in fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases. The schemes involved stealing EBT card data—often through skimming devices—to make unauthorized purchases of large quantities of SNAP‑eligible goods.
In a press conference this afternoon, U.S. Attorney Scott. E Bradford announced multiple new guilty pleas, 11 new indictments, and major federal sentences in two large interstate fraud schemes involving stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account information.
“When SNAP benefits are stolen, real families go without food,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “That is unacceptable. My office will continue pursuing these cases to safeguard the integrity of the program and uphold the trust placed in us to protect Oregon’s communities.”
“This organized criminal scheme not only resulted in the loss of food assistance benefits for needy families whose EBT card data was skimmed or otherwise stolen. Egregiously, the corrupt enterprise also placed public health and safety – including of babies – at risk by selling products like infant formula on the black market,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USDA OIG Special Agents, and our law enforcement partners for disrupting this dangerous scheme and bringing the fraudsters to face justice.”
Case Summaries
U.S. v. Ramirez Dumitru et al.
- In October 2024, a federal grand jury in Oregon charged 17 people in a scheme that stole more than $2.4 million in SNAP benefits.
- Investigators say that from August 2023 to October 2024, the group used skimmers and other methods to steal EBT card information, then used the stolen accounts to buy large amounts of infant formula, energy drinks, and other SNAP‑eligible items in Oregon, Washington, and California, including through curbside‑pickup orders.
- More than 120,000 pounds of goods were purchased with stolen benefits, stored in Oregon and Washington, and then shipped to California to be sold on the black market.
- All 17 defendants were arrested in October 2024.
- One defendant, Ana Escalante, who helped transport stolen goods across state lines, was sentenced in September 2026 to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $2.4 million in restitution.
- So far, 12 defendants have been sentenced to a combined 157 months in prison, and two more have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in December 2026.
U.S. v. Alexandru Telescu et al.
- In November 2025, Alexandru Telescu and eleven others were charged in a 26‑count federal indictment involving a scheme to steal and use EBT card information.
- Estimated losses total $700,000.
- Starting in in April 2025, the group used stolen EBT numbers and PINs—and skimmers placed on retail payment terminals—to buy SNAP‑eligible items in Oregon, Washington, and California. They repeatedly made purchases with victims’ benefits, stored some of the items in storage units, and shipped others to California in vans and trucks.
- On September 29, 2026, Telescu pleaded guilty to access‑device fraud and aggravated identity theft and is scheduled for sentencing on January 28, 2027.
- Co‑defendants Aramis and Cristina Manolea previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were each sentenced in May 2026 to time served plus three years of supervised release.
New Indictments
U.S. v. Kehi
- On October 7, 2026, Bly Gnionsiekan Rodoophe Kehi was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit access‑device fraud and possession of device‑making equipment, alleging he installed skimming devices on Washington County payment terminals to steal customers’ card data.
Additional Cases
- In September and October 2026, federal grand juries charged ten additional defendants with unauthorized use of access devices and aggravated identity theft.
- Prosecutors allege that each defendant used stolen EBT card numbers and PINs during 2024.
- Each case involves more than $1,000 in merchandise obtained using benefits stolen from SNAP recipients. Estimated losses total $143,000.
Coordinated Law Enforcement Effort
A multi‑agency partnership—including USDA Office of Inspector General, IRS‑Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, multiple police departments, and state agencies—is driving the investigation and prosecution of these cases. This coordinated effort targets organized groups responsible for stealing millions in SNAP benefits.
Continued Commitment to Enforcement
The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to identifying, charging, and dismantling networks engaged in SNAP fraud and will continue working with partners across jurisdictions to protect recipients and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
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