Latest news with #Alberto-IonelBaran
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Romanian EBT suspect gets confrontational in courtroom as case faces another setback
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The first case identified by the District Attorney as EBT theft in Kern County has seen the most setbacks in the court system. Alberto-Ionel Baran was pictured in court smiling at the camera, visibly upset by the KGET media presence. On Friday morning, Baran went out of his way to make contact and intimidate our news team, before his attorney told him to stop. A pre preliminary hearing was scheduled for Friday, however it was postponed to early May. This is because the court wants to do more research on a request by Baran's attorney for an indicated sentence. An indicated sentence is where a defendant, meaning Baran, would offer to plead guilty to all charges in exchange for a sentence issued directly by the judge. 24-year-old Shafter resident arrested after allegedly fleeing officers, erratic driving: police This usually happens over the prosecution's objection, as the district attorney could believe higher punishment is needed than what the court offers. The court has not yet given an official indicated sentence for this case. Also, there is no plea offer in the works for Mr. Baran. This is the case from November 2024, in which Baran was arrested alongside two other Romanians, Fernando Stantu and Mari-Mar Milica. The three were allegedly found with 48 cloned EBT cards and over $15,000 in stolen cash. Baran is due back in court on May 5. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Romanian accused of EBT fraud appears in court while benefit thefts decrease in March
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 24-year-old Romanian, Alberto-Ionel Baran is facing five felonies and one misdemeanor including money laundering, grand theft and fraudulent possession of a scanning device. On Tuesday, Baran's case faced another setback in the justice system, scheduling yet another pre-preliminary hearing in his case for late April. The Human Services Department had 426 reimbursement requests for January. In February, there were 504 benefits thefts and in March, there were 204 thefts. The county refused to disclose the dollar amount these thefts resulted in and said it has no record of thefts before 2025. Baran was arrested alongside Fernando Stantu and Mari-Mar Milica at the Bank of America on California Avenue, on Nov. 1, 2024. Kidney donor detained by ICE before life-saving transplant can take place The three Romanians were allegedly fraudulently withdrawing EBT from the ATM, just after 6 a.m. They were found with over $15,000 in stolen cash, 48 cloned cards, and skimming devices. A skimming device is a deep insert that goes into the ATM and clones cards. Stantu and Milica posted bail and never showed up to court. A warrant is out for their arrests. Baran was initially given a $150,000 bail, but was then changed to no bail. He is due back in court on April 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
2 Romanians accused of EBT benefit theft held without bail
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bogdan Boceanu is the latest Romanian national to be linked to the ongoing investigation into EBT benefits stolen in Kern County, and appeared in court Thursday morning with Alberto-Ionel Baran. Alberto-Ionel Baran is one of the three Romanians to first be named by the District Attorney for this case. Boceanu was the first one not allowed bail and Thursday was his review hearing. The no bail order was kept in place. Baran had been held on a $150,000 bail, but Thursday he was put under no bail. Coroner ID's man shot, killed by deputies at Virginia Avenue Park This order was requested by prosecutors, who said they believe illegal funds might have been used to post bail. Norbert Karaba posted bail and the other two Romanians, Fernando Stantu and Mari-Mar Milica, did not show up to court and have outstanding warrants for their arrests. Boceanu is due back in court Tuesday, March 11, and Baran is back in court Tuesday, March 18. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
