Stefan-Alin Doleanu, SNAP Benefits Fraud, Pennsylvania 2025

HARRISBURG, PA – Stefan-Alin Doleanu, 29, of Romania, is headed to federal prison after a judge slammed him with a 24-month sentence for his role in a brazen SNAP benefits fraud scheme. The sentencing, handed down on March 27, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, closes a chapter in a case that exposed a network exploiting vulnerable food assistance programs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania revealed that Doleanu, along with accomplices including co-defendant Eliza Doleanu, systematically pilfered Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Between November 2022 and March 2023, the duo and their crew targeted Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club locations in Camp Hill, Chambersburg, Mechanicsburg, and York, racking up thousands of dollars in illicit purchases using stolen EBT card information.

This wasn’t a smash-and-grab. It was a calculated conspiracy, meticulously planned to siphon funds from a program designed to feed families in need. The Doleanus weren’t after luxury goods; they were after volume, quietly accumulating merchandise while leaving legitimate SNAP recipients shortchanged. The scale of the operation suggests a wider network may still be operating, raising questions about how easily stolen data was exploited.

Judge Wilson didn’t just impose a prison sentence. She also ordered Doleanu to pay restitution totaling $14,255.97 – a small fraction of the likely total fraud, but a step toward recouping some of the stolen funds. While restitution is ordered, the likelihood of full recovery remains slim, given Doleanu’s impending removal from the United States upon completion of his sentence.

The investigation, a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, highlights the growing threat of organized fraud targeting government benefit programs. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams successfully prosecuted the case, demonstrating a commitment to holding these criminals accountable. But the question remains: how many more like Doleanu are out there, quietly draining resources from those who need them most?

The case serves as a stark reminder that fraud isn’t a victimless crime. It erodes public trust in vital social programs and directly impacts the families who rely on them. Federal authorities are likely to continue prioritizing investigations into these schemes, hoping to dismantle the networks and bring more perpetrators to justice. Doleanu’s sentence is a win for law enforcement, but the fight against SNAP fraud is far from over.

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