Kansas City woman sentenced to 6 years and 2 months for fraud scheme, ID theft, and selling EBT cards.
Eibony Bowers, 36, was sentenced in federal court to six years and two months in federal prison without parole for a fraud scheme in which she used stolen identity information to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, then sold the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to others.
On Nov. 27, 2018, Bowers pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, two counts of misusing a Social Security number, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Bowers began receiving SNAP benefits for herself and her four children in 2014. SNAP benefits assist low-income individuals in purchasing groceries to feed themselves and their families. SNAP recipients receive EBT cards preloaded with approved benefits, and can then utilize the EBT cards to purchase food.
Bowers admitted that she submitted 11 additional applications for SNAP benefits under the names of other persons from March to December 2016. Nine of those applications used the personal identity information (including fraudulent copies of driver’s licenses and Social Security cards) of actual persons without their consent. Two of those applications used the personal identity information of fictitious individuals. Each application included five to seven additional household members. During those nine months, she collected a total of $51,685 in SNAP benefits.
The court also ordered Bowers to pay $51,685 in restitution for the fraud scheme.
The case was investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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