El Paso fraud investigation leads to six arrests for Lone Star Card abuse
EL PASO, Texas — A multi-agency investigation led by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has resulted in the arrest of six individuals linked to a Lone Star Card A multi-agency investigation led by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has resulted in the arrest of six individuals linked to a Lone Star Card fraud case in El Paso. The operation, which began in 2016, targeted individuals and businesses suspected of abusing Lone Star Cards, which are used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash payments. The arrests have been made for theft of services, with one recipient being processed by HHS OIG for suspected trafficking of EBT/SNAP benefits. All cases have been transferred to the El Paso County District Attorney's Office for prosecution.
प्रकाशित : एक महीने पहले द्वारा Mathew Richards में
EL PASO, Texas — A multi-agency investigation led by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has resulted in the arrest of six individuals linked to a Lone Star Card fraud case in El Paso. Lone Star Cards, administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash payments.
The operation, which has been ongoing since 2016, focused on individuals and businesses suspected of abusing Lone Star Cards. The DPS Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Trafficking Unit, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso were all involved in the probe.
HSI El Paso Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric McLoughlin stated, “Our investigation revealed a store owner allowed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to receive cash in exchange for processing redemptions at half the value.” He further emphasized the importance of joint operations with local and state law enforcement partners to identify and arrest those defrauding state-run programs designed to assist low-income families.
The operation led to the arrest of six suspects for theft of services, with one recipient administratively processed by HHS OIG for suspected trafficking of EBT/SNAP benefits. The suspects, all from El Paso, include 31-year-old Adriana Franco, 31-year-old Alejandra Tagle, 30-year-old Arely E. Marin, 52-year-old Lorenza Franco, 32-year-old Mayra C. Menchaca, and 42-year-old Omar Alberto Gallegos. Also processed was 37-year-old Jessica Cardenas, though she was not booked.
All cases have been turned over to the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
विषय: Fraud, Corruption