32 indicted for $2 million Youngstown based food stamp fraud
A federal grand jury has indicted 32 people for their alleged roles in a $2 million food-stamp fraud plot carried out at a Youngstown convenience store.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A federal grand jury has indicted 32 people for their alleged roles in a $2 million food-stamp fraud plot carried out at a Youngstown convenience store.
At the top of the list of suspects is 61-year-old convenience store owner George Rafidi, who is serving an eight year sentence for assaulting a federal officer during a search of his Lordstown home in 2014.
That search was part of the investigation that resulted in Wednesday's indictment.
The indictment says that from June 2010 to October 2014, the suspects took part in a conspiracy to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program by converting illegally obtained SNAP benefits into money.
Investigators say that SNAP beneficiaries went to Rafidi's Breaden Market in Youngstown where they obtained cash and prohibited items, such as alcohol and tobacco, in exchange for their SNAP benefits.
Over a period of more than four years, Rafidi redeemed more than $2 million in SNAP benefits, according to the indictment.
Most of the defendants are charged with using their SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer cards in exchange for cash and other ineligible items.
Indicted are:
- George Rafidi, 61, Lordstown
- Vincent E. Poyssick, Sr., 67, Youngstown
- Sophia L. Hendrix, 37, Campbell
- Donna S. Hendrix, 42, Youngstown
- Deidra Wilson, 29, Youngstown
- Jennifer A. Lee, 29, Youngstown
- Torrie L. Crump, 40, Youngstown
- Tracey M. Eley, 53, Youngstown
- Allison Harris, 28, Youngstown, OH
- Tshombe P. Miller, 32, Youngstown
- Lisa West, 33, Youngstown
- Joann Averette, 55, Youngstown
- Herman L. Taylor, Jr., 46, Campbell
- Doreen Mayberry, 49, Youngstown
- Jamalia Abrams, 25, Ohio (Address unknown)
- Charles R. Thomas, 45, Youngstown
- Alecia D. Gayles, 33, Youngstown
- Tashauna J. Grissett, 27, Youngstown
- Katrina M. Haskins, 32, Youngstown
- Faydra Spikes-Hill, 36, Austintown
- Cheryle O’Neal, 23, Warren
- Yoletta S. Alvarado, 39, Youngstown
- Latise Mahinparvar, 27, Youngstown
- Brittany N. Littlejohn, 26, Youngstown
- Monique D. Sutton, 32, Youngstown
- Telisha Stanford, 34, Youngstown
- Floyayeshia Robinson, 25, Youngstown
- Earlene Williams, 41, Youngstown
- Jessica Dickerson, 28, Youngstown
- Harriett Randolph, 49, Youngstown
- Tearra Dates, 32, Boardman
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