Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Erie Residents in Food Stamp Fraud Scheme

ERIE, Pa. - Four residents of Erie, Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and food stamp fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The six count indictment named Nureden Jibul, 33; Jibul R. Jibul, 28; Samia R. Jibul, 24; and John L. McDowell, 67 as defendants.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Nureden Jibul, Jibul, Jibul and Samia Jibul were all engaged in food stamp fraud primarily involving exchanging food stamps for cash. Nureden Jibul also enlisted Johnnie McDowell to submit a fraudulent application for a food stamp license so that the food stamp terminals in use at the convenience stores owned and operated by Nuerden Jibul and Jibul Jibul would not be in their names. The defendants then used the food stamp terminals at locations where they were not authorized.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $270,000, or both for Nureden Jibul, Jibul R. Jibul and Samia R. Jibul and 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for John L. McDowell. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigations, and the Erie Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.