Nine Jacksonville Residents Indicted For Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Fraud

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces today the return of three indictments charging nine Jacksonville residents with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The indictments in each case allege that these individuals engaged in a pattern of fraud by redeeming SNAP benefits through unauthorized Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT). Two individuals have also been charged with selling cocaine in exchange for SNAP benefits. The maximum penalty for each count of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and distribution of cocaine is 20 years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, between May 2012 and May 2015, Lawaun Dontai Carswell (35) and Shawntei Walker (36) stole more than $747,000 in SNAP funds. They also allegedly sold cocaine in exchange for SNAP benefits.      

Between October 2014 and May 2015, La’Shell Dorianne Carswell (37) and Tommy Carswell (47) allegedly stole SNAP funds in excess of $714,000. La’Shell Carswell is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Tommy Carswell is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.

Lakeya Sheeona Creech (29), Leroy Robinson, II (35), Tyrome Dionne Robinson (42), Tremain Mormon (43), and Robert Savage (26) allegedly stole more than $1.1 million between June 2013 and June 2015. Creech is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment charges the four other individuals with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

These cases were investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General; the United States Secret Service; the Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Inspector General; the Internal Revenue Service; the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; the Florida Department Of Children and Families, Office of Public Benefits Integrity; and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Public Assistance Fraud. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Taylor.