Owner of International Market in Erie Pleads Guilty to Food Stamp Fraud

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Jasmin Omanovic, 37, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from October 2011 to February 2015, Omanovic, who was the owner and operator of International Market in Erie, committed food stamp fraud by exchanging food stamps for cash at fifty percent of face value. Omanovic also exchanged food stamps for ineligible items. He also allowed customers to pay off store debt with food stamps and he took customers’ EBT cards and used them at Walmart to restock his shelves.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Omanovic on bond.

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 and the Erie Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Omanovic.