United States of America v. Steven Eugene Melton, Jr.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with theft of government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641, SNAP benefit fraud, in violation of 8 U.S.C. 2024, false representation of a social security number, in violation of 42 U.S.C. 408, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028.

In June 2023, Steven Eugene Melton, Jr. of Noble, Oklahoma, applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service for authorization to accept SNAP benefits at a purported farmer’s market called Wrights Farms. In the application, Melton used the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of an individual who had no involvement in the scheme. Melton created Wrights Farms as a sham business to process SNAP payments.

The Food and Nutrition Service approved the application on June 6, 2023. From June 2023 through May 2024, Wrights Farms processed approximately $212,194.58 in SNAP benefits from fraudulent accounts that Melton obtained using fake or altered identification cards.

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Federal theft of government property (18 U.S.C. § 641) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits fraud (7 U.S.C. § 2024) are federal crimes that penalize the unlawful taking, misuse, or trafficking of federal funds and public assistance.

Theft of Government Property (18 U.S.C. § 641)

• Core Offense: Embezzling, stealing, knowingly converting, or selling any record, voucher, money, or thing of value belonging to the United States or any federal agency.
• Value Over $1,000 (Felony): Fined under Title 18, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.
• Value $1,000 or Less (Misdemeanor): Fined under Title 18, imprisoned for up to 1 year, or both.

SNAP Benefits Fraud and Violations (7 U.S.C. § 2024)

• Core Offense: Knowingly using, transferring, acquiring, altering, or possessing SNAP benefits (or presenting them for redemption) in any manner not authorized by law. Common forms include trafficking (exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) and application fraud (lying about income or household size).
• Value of $5,000 or more (Felony): Fined up to $250,000, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both.
• Value between $100 and $4,999 (Felony): Fined up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both (for a first offense).
• Value under $100 (Misdemeanor): Fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to 1 year, or both.
• Program Disqualification: Courts and state agencies can impose mandatory restitution and suspend individuals from SNAP (such as a 12-to-18-month or permanent disqualification for Intentional Program Violations).

Related Means-Tested Welfare Rules (42 U.S.C. § 608a)

• Double Penalty Restrictions: Under 42 U.S. Code § 608a, individuals facing benefit reductions due to fraud in one federally funded means-tested program (such as SNAP or TANF) cannot receive increased benefits from another federal assistance program to offset that income loss.

The Defendant elected to plead builty.