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A Romanian national, Stefan-Alin Doleanu, has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a scheme involving stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Central Pennsylvania. After serving his sentence, Doleanu will be deported from the United States. The sentence was handed down on Thursday (March 27) by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson.
Between November 2022 and March 2023, Doleanu and several co-conspirators, including Eliza Doleanu, used stolen Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card information to make fraudulent purchases at Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club locations in Camp Hill, Chambersburg, Mechanicsburg, and York. The group illegally obtained goods worth several thousand dollars during this period.
Doleanu was ordered to pay $14,255.97 in restitution for the wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has urged SNAP beneficiaries to change their PINs and check for card skimmers to prevent similar fraudulent activities.