Sherif Abdelwahab Alkassar, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT Card) Fraud, Mail Fraud, South Carolina 2016

Columbia, South Carolina - In a shocking turn of events, three individuals have been taken into custody by the FBI for their alleged involvement in a massive Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card fraud scheme.

The suspects, Sherif Abdelwahab Alkassar, 36, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Lesley Amanda Alkassar, 38, of Blacksburg, South Carolina, and Katie Leighanne Polson, 29, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were arrested on June 9, 2016, and charged with EBT card fraud, a violation of Title 7 United States Code, Section 2024.

According to the FBI, Sherif Abdelwahab Alkassar was also charged with Mail Fraud, a violation of Title 18 USC 1341, and making False Statements relating to Naturalization/Citizenship, a violation of Title 18 USC 1015.

Each of the defendants faces a maximum possible penalty of not more than twenty years in prison if convicted. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE), and the United State Department of Agriculture USDA (USDA). The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/three-people-arrested-fbi-operation