DMV Co-Conspirators Indicted in Connection with SNAP Fraud Scheme

Greenbelt, Maryland - The U.S. Attorney's Office announced, today, a Maryland resident and two Washington D.C. residents are facing indictment in connection with a fraud conspiracy to obtain more than $600,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Antonio William McCracken, 32, of District Heights, Maryland, along with Ricco Coley Young, 34, and Kimberly Lady Howard, 47, both of Washington, D.C., are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and two counts of unauthorized use, transfer, acquisition, alteration, and possession of SNAP benefits.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) Northeast Region.

According to the indictment, from January 2021 through at least February 2026, the co-conspirators obtained SNAP benefits in the form of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, EBT card numbers, and personal identification numbers (PINs) that belonged to SNAP recipients. They obtained the SNAP benefits in exchange for cash and knowingly used them to purchase goods at retail stores. The co-conspirators used the purchased goods to prepare and sell food through Young's catering company for personal gain.

As stated in the indictment, the co-conspirators paid the SNAP recipients for their account information, often at a discount of approximately 50 percent of the value of the benefits transferred. In total, the co-conspirators obtained and used more than $600,000 in SNAP benefits to purchase goods at retail stores in Maryland and elsewhere for resale.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Young, Howard, and McCracken face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and up to five years for the unauthorized use, transfer, acquisition, alteration, and possession of SNAP benefits. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USDA-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Treiger and Darren Gardner who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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