At least 40 people are facing federal charges in an ongoing crackdown on SNAP benefit fraud in Oregon, as prosecutors announced new indictments, guilty pleas and prison sentences Wednesday in schemes that stole more than $3 million in food assistance through EBT card skimming.
TL;DR: U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced multiple new guilty pleas, 11 new indictments and major federal sentences in two large interstate fraud rings that skimmed EBT card data to buy infant formula, energy drinks and other goods for black-market resale. One defendant was sentenced to 27 months in prison; 12 have drawn a combined 157 months behind bars. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty where their cases are pending.
How the Schemes Worked
Investigators say the schemes centered on stealing EBT card data — often through skimming devices planted on retail payment terminals — then using the stolen accounts to buy bulk SNAP-eligible goods for black-market resale.
“When SNAP benefits are stolen, real families go without food,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “That is unacceptable. My office will continue pursuing these cases to safeguard the integrity of the program and uphold the trust placed in us to protect Oregon’s communities.”
USDA Inspector General John Walk said the enterprise “placed public health and safety – including of babies – at risk by selling products like infant formula on the black market.”
The Two Big Cases
U.S. v. Ramirez Dumitru: $2.4 million stolen
In October 2024, a federal grand jury charged 17 people in a scheme that stole more than $2.4 million in SNAP benefits. From August 2023 to October 2024, prosecutors say, the group used skimmers and other methods to steal EBT card information, then bought large amounts of infant formula, energy drinks and other SNAP-eligible items in Oregon, Washington and California — including through curbside-pickup orders.
More than 120,000 pounds of goods were purchased with stolen benefits, stored in Oregon and Washington, and trucked to California to be sold. All 17 defendants were arrested in October 2024.
- Ana Escalante, who helped transport stolen goods across state lines, was sentenced in September 2026 to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $2.4 million in restitution.
- So far 12 defendants have been sentenced to a combined 157 months in prison, and two more have pleaded guilty and await sentencing in December 2026.
U.S. v. Alexandru Telescu: $700,000 scheme
In November 2025, Alexandru Telescu and eleven others were charged in a 26-count federal indictment involving stolen EBT card data, with estimated losses of $700,000. Starting in April 2025, prosecutors say, the group used stolen EBT numbers and PINs — plus skimmers on retail terminals — to buy SNAP-eligible items across three states for resale in California.
On September 29, 2026, Telescu pleaded guilty to access-device fraud and aggravated identity theft; he is scheduled for sentencing on January 28, 2027. Co-defendants Aramis and Cristina Manolea previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were each sentenced in May 2026 to time served plus three years of supervised release.
New Charges This Month
The crackdown is still growing. On October 7, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Bly Gnionsiekan Rodoophe Kehi for conspiracy to commit access-device fraud and possession of device-making equipment, alleging he installed skimming devices on Washington County payment terminals.
Grand juries charged ten additional defendants in September and October 2026 with unauthorized use of access devices and aggravated identity theft, totaling an estimated $143,000 in losses.
FAQ
How many people are facing charges in the Oregon SNAP crackdown?
At least 40 people are facing federal charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, which announced multiple new guilty pleas, 11 new indictments and major federal sentences on October 21, 2026.
How much SNAP fraud is involved?
More than $3 million in fraudulent SNAP purchases across the cases announced, including a $2.4 million scheme (U.S. v. Ramirez Dumitru), a $700,000 scheme (U.S. v. Telescu), and $143,000 in additional cases charged in September and October 2026.
How did the fraudsters steal the benefits?
By stealing EBT card data — often through skimming devices planted on retail payment terminals — then using victims’ accounts and PINs to buy large quantities of SNAP-eligible goods such as infant formula and energy drinks, including through curbside-pickup orders.
What happened to the stolen goods?
In the Ramirez Dumitru case, more than 120,000 pounds of goods bought with stolen benefits were stored in Oregon and Washington, then shipped to California to be sold on the black market.
Who has been sentenced so far?
Ana Escalante was sentenced in September 2026 to 27 months in prison plus $2.4 million in restitution. Twelve defendants in the Ramirez Dumitru case have been sentenced to a combined 157 months, with two more awaiting December 2026 sentencing. Aramis and Cristina Manolea were sentenced in May 2026 to time served plus three years of supervised release.
Who is Alexandru Telescu?
A defendant charged in November 2025 in a 26-count indictment alleging a $700,000 EBT-skimming scheme across Oregon, Washington and California. He pleaded guilty on September 29, 2026, to access-device fraud and aggravated identity theft and is scheduled for sentencing on January 28, 2027.
Who was indicted in October 2026?
Bly Gnionsiekan Rodoophe Kehi was indicted October 7, 2026, for conspiracy to commit access-device fraud and possession of device-making equipment, accused of installing skimmers on Washington County payment terminals. Ten more defendants were charged in September and October 2026 with unauthorized use of access devices and aggravated identity theft.
Which agencies are investigating?
The USDA Office of Inspector General, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, multiple police departments and state agencies, coordinated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Featured image: A card-skimming device of the type used to steal EBT data in the Oregon schemes. Image: KYKN / 1430 KYKN. Source: KYKN, reporting the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announcement.
