From staff reports

HARRISBURG — Two men, including one from central Pennsylvania, have been charged by a federal grand jury in an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain and cash out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Randy Welch, 46, of Michigan, and Earnest Morant, 58, of Harrisburg, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit SNAP benefits fraud.

According to U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges the two men worked together to submit fraudulent applications for SNAP benefits and then exchange the issued electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for cash.

Prosecutors say Welch obtained names, Social Security numbers, and other personal identifying information from numerous individuals and used that information to file SNAP applications with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. As a result, EBT cards were issued in those individuals’ names and mailed to addresses Welch provided.

One of those addresses, investigators allege, belonged to Morant in Harrisburg. Morant is accused of receiving many of the fraudulently obtained EBT cards and mailing them to other co-conspirators, who then sold the cards for cash.

Federal officials said the case is part of broader efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs.

If convicted, the conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, while SNAP fraud charges can carry penalties of up to 20 years. Any sentence would be determined by a judge under federal sentencing guidelines.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting.

An indictment is an allegation. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.