Latest news with #OhioDepartmentofPublicSafety
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Trio in Ohio Stole $600K in SNAP Benefits to Buy Junk Food: Officials
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Three people in Ohio are accused of stealing $600,000 worth of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase candy and energy drinks, according to local officials. Newsweek has contacted the Ohio Department of Public Safety via email for comment. Why It Matters SNAP benefits provide food benefits to low-income families and is a common target for fraud. SNAP benefits are administered to recipients through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which are loaded with money each month to use in participating stores across the country. Like regular debit or credit cards, they are subject to scams such as cloning, phishing or skimming. During the first quarter of 2025, nearly 18,500 households in Ohio reported SNAP benefit theft totaling almost $18.5 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). What To Know After a year-long investigation, Columbus residents Ionut Bizga, 33, Doina Bacelan, 32, and Juan Hernandez, 26, have each been indicted for a "pattern of corrupt activity and food stamp fraud," according to a spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, speaking to local news station WHIO-TV. The investigation started in August 2024 when the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) got a tip about stolen SNAP benefits being used for fake EBT transactions at Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale stores in Columbus. Agents linked the suspects to the fraudulent EBT purchases by using several surveillance techniques and store video. The suspects allegedly bought large amounts of candy and energy drinks with the stolen benefits, with around $3,000 worth of goods bought each visit. The candy and beverages were stored in various Columbus storage units before being transported out of state in box trucks, often ending up with local distributors. Investigators also found card skimmers, cloned gift and credit cards, laptops and cell phones that are linked to the case. Lawmakers in Ohio are working to combat the pervasive SNAP benefit theft issue. Ohio Representatives Kellie Deeter, Tristan Rader, and Desiree Tims have introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections for SNAP recipients. House Bill 163, the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2025, co-sponsored by Rader and Deeter, proposes replacing current EBT cards with chip-enabled versions, launching a pilot program in high-risk areas, educating recipients on fraud prevention, and working with retailers to enhance transaction security. Meanwhile, House Bill 174, the No Hungry Families Act, co-sponsored by Rader and Tims, seeks to establish a state-run reimbursement program for SNAP recipients whose benefits are stolen. The bill would allocate state funds to help families recover lost food assistance and directly address common fraud tactics like card skimming and cloning. Stock image/file photo: Police lights on law enforcement vehicles. Stock image/file photo: Police lights on law enforcement vehicles. GETTY What People Are Saying Ohio Representative Tristan Rader said on LinkedIn regarding overall SNAP benefit theft in Ohio earlier this year: "Tens of thousands of Ohio families have had their SNAP benefits stolen, leaving them without food and putting more pressure on food banks. I am working to stop this fraud and make sure help gets to those who need it— because no one should go hungry due to a broken system." What Happens Next? The Ohio Department of Public Safety is working to identify additional suspects in the case.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DeWine unveils recommendations to help close missing persons cases in Ohio
May 28—A group of law enforcement, family members of the missing, advocates and educators have called for several changes aimed at improving the efficiency of missing persons investigations in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson announced nearly 20 recommendations from the Ohio Missing Persons Working Group on Tuesday. The group recommended 18 areas of improvement around information sharing between law enforcement agencies, communication between family members and investigators, continued professional training, and public education. The group was formed in January. DeWine has already ordered several agencies to carry out these recommendations, including automating notification of law enforcement agencies of Endangered Missing Child Alerts, creating a best practices guide on interacting with families of missing persons, expanding the Ohio Prisoner Extradition Reimbursement Program, and continued professional training for the healthcare industry on law enforcement exemptions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA. Additionally, several state agencies that work with children and mental health have been directed to work with local law enforcement to develop a pilot program for advocates to support at-risk youth who regularly leave their homes or group home settings. "Thousands of children and adults are reported missing each year, and although most are located quickly, some simply vanish, leaving anguished families behind and adding to law enforcement's growing caseload," DeWine said. "The goal of this working group was to identify what more we could do as a state to help law enforcement bring more missing people home and support family members during a time of great despair." Other recommendations were made to the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, whose Missing Persons Unit is the state authority on missing persons investigations, according to the Governor's office. Suggestions for BCI include the creation of a central repository of resources for families and investigators, the launch of an annual missing persons conference, and the establishment of a confidential forum for law enforcement to discuss investigative techniques and perform case reviews. 'A great idea' House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, told reporters Wednesday that she supports the task force findings and deferred to her colleague Rep. Christine Cockley, D-Columbus, who joint sponsors a bipartisan bill that would require all Ohio law enforcement to upload missing persons' information into a national database within 30 days of a report. "We think it's a great idea, (Cockley) is certainly supportive of it and we have legislation in this space to address these missing person cases," Russo said. House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said he'd like to take time to review the task force's recommendations, but said it should be something the legislature could get done before lawmakers go on summer recess. "I think we could probably get that done by June 30. So, I think we'll take the recommendations, see what that looks like, and try to get that done," he said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DeWine unveils recommendations to help close missing persons cases in Ohio
May 28—A group of law enforcement, family members of the missing, advocates and educators have called for several changes aimed at improving the efficiency of missing persons investigations in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson announced nearly 20 recommendations from the Ohio Missing Persons Working Group on Tuesday. The group recommended 18 areas of improvement around information sharing between law enforcement agencies, communication between family members and investigators, continued professional training, and public education. The group was formed in January. DeWine has already ordered several agencies to carry out these recommendations, including automating notification of law enforcement agencies of Endangered Missing Child Alerts, creating a best practices guide on interacting with families of missing persons, expanding the Ohio Prisoner Extradition Reimbursement Program, and continued professional training for the healthcare industry on law enforcement exemptions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA. Additionally, several state agencies that work with children and mental health have been directed to work with local law enforcement to develop a pilot program for advocates to support at-risk youth who regularly leave their homes or group home settings. "Thousands of children and adults are reported missing each year, and although most are located quickly, some simply vanish, leaving anguished families behind and adding to law enforcement's growing caseload," DeWine said. "The goal of this working group was to identify what more we could do as a state to help law enforcement bring more missing people home and support family members during a time of great despair." Other recommendations were made to the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, whose Missing Persons Unit is the state authority on missing persons investigations, according to the Governor's office. Suggestions for BCI include the creation of a central repository of resources for families and investigators, the launch of an annual missing persons conference, and the establishment of a confidential forum for law enforcement to discuss investigative techniques and perform case reviews. 'A great idea' House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, told reporters Wednesday that she supports the task force findings and deferred to her colleague Rep. Christine Cockley, D-Columbus, who joint sponsors a bipartisan bill that would require all Ohio law enforcement to upload missing persons' information into a national database within 30 days of a report. "We think it's a great idea, (Cockley) is certainly supportive of it and we have legislation in this space to address these missing person cases," Russo said. House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said he'd like to take time to review the task force's recommendations, but said it should be something the legislature could get done before lawmakers go on summer recess. "I think we could probably get that done by June 30. So, I think we'll take the recommendations, see what that looks like, and try to get that done," he said.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mercer County Sheriff's Office pursuing accreditation
May 6—COLUMBUS — The Office of Criminal Justice Services announced Monday that the Mercer County Sheriff's Office is one of 20 Ohio law enforcement agencies pursuing accreditation through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. According to a press release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, this second phase follows the announcement in February of the first 10 agencies in the state to complete the process. "Accreditation is a way for local law enforcement agencies to show their communities that they are meeting Ohio's high standards among the top agencies in the state," Governor Mike DeWine said in a press release. Law enforcement agencies interested in accreditation can find more information at Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Boardman expands driver training grant county-wide
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – Boardman is expanding its driver training grant to all eligible students within Mahoning County. Police Chief Todd Werth announced Friday that the township's $147,885 grant to help train young drivers will be expanded to cover students within all of Mahoning County who qualify. He said that the township recently got permission from the state to offer the grant money outside of the township. The money was awarded last year through the Drive to Succeed program from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Students will receive $475 to help fund the approximate $500 cost for driver training, which includes 24 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, all of which is mandated for 16 and 17-year-olds who want to drive. Students should contact their respective schools to express interest in the program. Arepresentative of the school can then contact Boardman Police Sergeant Paul Grimes(pgrimes@ or 330-726-4177) about interest in the program. Grant eligibility includes the following: The student must be enrolled and in good standing at their respective Mahoning County-based high school or have a letter from their local school district approving them for homeschooling and meet other eligibility requirements. The student must be age 15 years and 5 months or older prior to the start of driver training. The student must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0. The student must be ingood standing including no habitual truancy, no habitual absences, and no excessivedetentions for tardiness or being late to class, or other disciplinary issues. Financial need must be proven by the student and family and will be determined byguidelines established by the Ohio Department of Education Office of Nutrition National School Lunch Program and used by their High School Food Services Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
