A federal grand jury has indicted two men for allegedly orchestrating a cross-state scheme to turn food stamps into fast cash, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Randy Welch, 46, of Michigan, and Earnest Morant, 58, of Harrisburg, are facing conspiracy charges related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits fraud.
Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller, allege the duo filed fake applications to secure Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, which were then trafficked for currency.
The indictment details a calculated operation where Welch allegedly gathered names, Social Security numbers, and personal data from various individuals to submit fraudulent applications to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Once the state approved the benefits, EBT cards were mailed to specific addresses—including Morant’s residence in Harrisburg.
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Authorities say Morant acted as a hub for the operation, receiving the cards at his home before mailing them to other co-conspirators who sold them for cash.
The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations.
This prosecution is part of a broader push by the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a Department of Justice initiative aligned with the administration’s task force to cut down on waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.
If convicted, the penalties are significant. A conspiracy charge carries up to five years in prison, while the specific charge of SNAP benefits fraud can lead to a maximum of 20 years behind bars.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera is set to prosecute the case, with final sentencing to be determined by a federal judge based on standard sentencing guidelines.
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