A Pennsylvania convenience store owner and six others were charged in a SNAP trafficking case that allegedly moved $775,677 in fraudulent transactions over three years, with arrest warrants issued and a multiagency probe underway.
A Quick Stop convenience store owner and six accomplices in Steelton, Pennsylvania, face charges for accepting SNAP benefits despite a permanent ban from the program. Authorities say the operation illegally processed $775,677 in fraudulent transactions over a span of three years. Arrest warrants have been issued for all seven defendants, and the investigation is ongoing.
Prosecutors identified Solanyi Ramos as the owner of Quick Stop Convenience Store at 300 Lincoln Street in Steelton, plus three employees: Rafael Jermaine Powell, Wilson Javier Garcia Matteo, and Beatriz Rosario Acosta. Three SNAP recipients — Shawn Van-Jeffrey McCoy, Dorothy A. Wilson, and Shariah Denise Kiser — are also charged for their roles in the scheme. Officials describe this as a coordinated trafficking network that converted benefits into cash and other prohibited items.
SNAP trafficking typically involves a store using a recipient’s EBT card to run inflated or fabricated purchases and then giving the cardholder less cash in return. For example, a store may use a recipient’s EBT card to process a $200 transaction and provide $100 in cash to the recipient. The store is then reimbursed $200 in public benefits for the fraudulent transaction, profiting $100, while providing no food to the recipient.
The Office of State Inspector General and the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office led the case, working alongside the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Special Agent Erin DiOrazio of OSIG and Detective Roxanne Snider of the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division led the investigation. Officials say the probe relied on advanced investigative techniques and sustained cooperation across agencies.
“This investigation demonstrates Pennsylvania’s commitment to rooting out fraud and protecting the integrity of programs designed to help our most vulnerable residents,” said State Inspector General Michelle A. Henry. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, OSIG has aggressively pursued SNAP trafficking operations across the Commonwealth. By using sophisticated methods to defraud the SNAP program, these defendants not only stole from taxpayers but also exploited individuals in need. Pennsylvania does not tolerate public assistance fraud: we investigate it, we prosecute it, and we will continue holding accountable those who abuse these life-saving programs.”
“SNAP trafficking operations such as this one harm our entire community,” said Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo. “These defendants systematically exploited a program meant to provide nutrition assistance to families in need. My office is proud to partner with the Office of State Inspector General to prosecute these crimes and send a clear message that this type of fraud will not be tolerated in Dauphin County.”
“The Pennsylvania State Police is proud to support the Office of State Inspector General and Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office in combating fraud that harms Pennsylvania families,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “This investigation required extensive collaboration, advanced investigative techniques, and the dedication of multiple agencies working toward a common goal. PSP remains committed to partnering with OSIG and local law enforcement to protect the integrity of public assistance programs and hold criminals accountable.”
“The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is committed to protecting the integrity of SNAP and ensuring benefits reach the Pennsylvanians who need them most,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “We’re grateful for OSIG and our law enforcement partners in identifying and investigating theft and fraud to protect SNAP benefits and hold those who target and steal from public assistance recipients accountable for hurting vulnerable Pennsylvanians and misusing this critical, life-sustaining resource.”
If convicted, defendants could be ordered to pay restitution to reimburse taxpayers for the stolen benefits and face additional criminal penalties under state law. Officials emphasized that investigations like this aim to recover funds intended for families in need and to deter businesses and individuals from exploiting public assistance programs. The multiagency effort remains active as authorities pursue the case and related leads.
