12-03-2025
Kern County prosecutors say Romanian church is behind bailout of alleged EBT thieves
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — During a bail review on Tuesday, for defendant Bogdan Boceanu, Judge Andrew B. Kendall maintained his order denying bail.
'He's caught at DHS with 36 cloned EBT cards…he's victimizing the most vulnerable members of our community, people who rely on those EBT funds to be in their account the first of every month,' said Judge Andrew B. Kendall. 'Mr. Torres, this is not a crime of violence, but it's difficult to imagine a more harmful kind of theft. Taking on the most vulnerable people in our community.'
During a bail review for defendant Bogdan Boceanu, Judge Andrew B. Kendall maintained his order denying bail, and was doubtful Boceanu would show up to his court proceedings.
'He had a felony warrant in SF021771A, so he's been caught doing this at least two times. There's a continued investigation, he may or may not be involved in other thefts involving EBT cards,' said Judge Kendall. 'The court finds there is clear evidence that he's a danger to the public. Court finds clear, convincing evidence that he's a flight risk…set his bail at no bail.'
Kern County Supervisors were not informed of ongoing EBT theft by District Attorney's office
Judge Kendall said Bogdan's bail sponsor being in Riverside shows he lacks ties to Kern County.
Prosecutor Anthony Yim said two other Romanian defendants, who have failed to appear, had the same bail sponsor.
'Now we have the defendant here who actually has the same source of bail, and the same sponsorship of every defendant that this court has given bail to,' said Yim. 'Which would be the Green Solution Environmental Services out of Riverside, California and the Romanian Gypsy Church of Riverside, California.'
Norbert Karaba would be one of the defendants Yim referred to, bailed by the church. Karaba was also arraigned on Tuesday for six felony counts, including grand theft and money laundering.
Karaba is back in court on May 16. Boceanu is due in court this Friday, March 14.
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