Robert Lee Snowden Jr., Serial Fraudster Sentencing, Maryland 2023

Baltimore, Maryland – A notorious serial fraudster has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for a series of elaborate schemes that resulted in losses of more than $1 million.

U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander handed down the sentence to Robert Lee Snowden Jr., 45, of Owings Mills, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. In addition to his prison term, Snowden was ordered to pay restitution of $1,021,583.72.

The schemes, which spanned from 2013 to 2020, involved using stolen identification information to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Snowden sold the benefits for cash at approximately 50% of their value.

According to court documents, Snowden stole lists of health care professionals' personal identifying information in 2011, before being laid off from his temporary position at a health care business. He then used the information to apply for SNAP benefits, creating fraudulent supporting documents in the names of the victims.

Snowden used the addresses of acquaintances or nearby vacant homes to receive the SNAP cards, which he would pick up and sell for cash. He also used the cards to purchase groceries for himself and his co-conspirator, Larae Betrand, who was aware of and participated in the scheme.

Between 2015 and 2019, Snowden and Betrand were in a relationship and engaged in a scheme to obtain fraudulent loans from banks and a credit union by providing false employment information. They fraudulently obtained $92,668.58 for four auto loans.

Snowden's schemes resulted in over 220 victims' identities being used to apply for SNAP benefits, with at least $1,021,583.72 in SNAP benefits being issued and redeemed through the scheme.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Robert Lee Snowden Jr., Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, City and State: Baltimore, Maryland, Exact Date: Not specified, Sentence: 78 months in federal prison, Restitution: $1,021,583.72, Dollar Amounts: $1,021,583.72.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/serial-fraudster-sentenced-more-six-years-federal-prison-multiple-fraud-schemes-resulting