United States of America v. Randy Welch and Earnest Morant

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit SNAP benefit fraud.

Randy Welch, age 46, of Michigan, and Earnest Morant, age 58, of Harrisburg, engaged in a conspiracy to submit fraudulent SNAP benefits applications and then exchange the resulting electronic benefits transfer cards for cash. To further the conspiracy, Welch allegedly obtained the names, social security numbers, and personally identifiable information for numerous persons, which he placed on applications for SNAP benefits. Those applications were then submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS). As a result, PA DHS issued numerous SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in the names of those persons to addresses Welch specified.

One of those addresses belonged to Welch’s codefendant, Earnest Morant. Morant allegedly received many of the fraudulently obtained EBT cards at his home in Harrisburg and mailed them to other coconspirators, who would sell the cards for cash.

The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Conspiracy to commit SNAP benefits fraud carries a maximum penalty under federal law of up to five years in prison, plus a fine and a term of supervised release. The charge of SNAP benefits fraud has a maximum penalty under federal law up to 20 years in prison. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.