Cleveland, Ohio – Federal prosecutors in northern Ohio have announced several criminal cases involving suspected fraud against government assistance programs as part of a nationwide effort to protect taxpayer money and prevent the misuse of food benefits intended for struggling families.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio participated in the Justice Department’s first National USDA Benefits and Program Fraud Enforcement Surge, which took place between September 1 and October 21, 2026.
The operation brought together the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and 13 U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country.
According to federal officials, the coordinated effort resulted in enforcement actions involving more than 40 defendants. Their alleged or proven activities accounted for nearly $45 million in intended losses to the federal government.
Of that amount, approximately $42 million involved suspected fraud against the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps.
SNAP provides monthly food assistance to eligible individuals and families with limited incomes. The program is funded by the USDA and administered in Ohio by the state government.
Federal authorities uncover several alleged fraud schemes across northern Ohio
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer emphasized that SNAP benefits cannot legally be traded for cash, drugs or other items that are not permitted under the program.
“You cannot exchange food program benefits for cash, illegal drugs, or anything else – it is a violation of federal law,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “My office will aggressively protect the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs to assist those truly in need. During some of these investigations, we also found evidence of federal housing or drug trafficking violations. Together with our investigative partners, we will find and prosecute those who attempt to manipulate federal programs for their own benefit.”
Lewis Porcella, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Cleveland Field Office, also stressed the importance of preventing people from taking advantage of assistance programs.
“These benefits are a critical lifeline for eligible families, not a source of profit for those willing to exploit the program,” said Lewis Porcella, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Cleveland Field Office. “Secret Service investigators will work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to uncover fraud and hold accountable anyone who steals resources intended to help vulnerable Americans put food on the table.”
Among the cases highlighted by federal prosecutors was an alleged fraud operation connected to a gas station convenience store in Euclid, Ohio.
On October 6, 2026, six individuals were charged in criminal complaints with SNAP Benefits Fraud, Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.
The defendants were identified as Sqar Qahtan, 31, Baligh Naji, 34, and Ahmed Al Hamami, 36, all Yemeni citizens living in Euclid; Mohsin Mohsin, 28, of Syracuse, New York; Mariah Hatcher, 30, of Euclid; and Almotawakil Nassr, 29, of Detroit, Michigan.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants participated in a scheme lasting approximately two years while working at the Euclid convenience store.
During that period, they allegedly exchanged Ohio SNAP benefit cards for cash, marijuana and other items that could not legally be purchased through the program.
Investigators identified at least $64,000 in SNAP benefits obtained by members of the alleged conspiracy. Federal authorities estimate that the group likely engaged in approximately $1 million in fraudulent activity.
If convicted, each defendant could face up to five years in prison for each SNAP Benefits Fraud count and up to 20 years for each Wire Fraud or Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud count.
The investigation involved the USDA Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service Money Laundering Task Force, Ohio Investigative Unit, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Euclid Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Barnhill is leading the prosecution.
Painesville woman accused of hiding marriage and income to obtain benefits
Another case involves Glenda K. Jordan, 63, of Painesville, Ohio, who was indicted on September 9, 2026.
Jordan faces three counts of Bank Fraud, along with charges of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Theft of Government Property and Supplemental Security Income Fraud involving knowing concealment.
According to prosecutors, Jordan allegedly spent more than a decade misleading government agencies to obtain SNAP assistance, federally funded housing benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments.
Investigators claim she repeatedly provided false information on official documents, hiding her marriage, her husband’s income and where she actually lived.
In one part of the alleged scheme, Jordan reportedly identified her sister-in-law as a ‘live-in aide’ at her subsidized housing unit.
Federal authorities allege that the sister-in-law was actually using the subsidized apartment as her primary residence, while Jordan lived elsewhere with her husband.
The suspected fraud involved approximately $162,580 in intended losses.
If convicted, Jordan could receive up to 30 years in prison for each Bank Fraud count and up to 30 years for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud. The other charges carry possible maximum sentences of 10 years for Theft of Government Property and five years for Supplemental Security Income Fraud involving knowing concealment.
The USDA, Social Security Administration and Department of Housing and Urban Development offices of inspector general investigated the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason White is leading the prosecution.
Cleveland area investigation connects SNAP benefits to alleged cocaine trafficking
Federal prosecutors also announced charges stemming from an investigation involving SNAP benefits allegedly exchanged for illegal drugs.
On September 30, 2026, Myron Cage, 43, of Garfield Heights, and Dwayne Stevens, 34, of Mayfield Heights, were charged with SNAP Benefits Fraud in connection with a related drug trafficking operation.
According to investigators, the alleged activity occurred between February and August 2022 at a corner store in Cleveland owned and operated by Cage.
Prosecutors claim the defendants accepted SNAP benefits as full or partial payment for crack cocaine.
During searches of their residences, law enforcement officers also seized more than 500 grams of packaged cocaine.
The SNAP fraud allegations involved approximately $4,070 in intended losses.
If convicted, both defendants face up to five years in federal prison for SNAP Benefits Fraud offenses and up to 40 years for the related drug charges.
The USDA Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert F. Corts, Marc D. Bullard and Samuel V. Lioi are handling the prosecution.
The three northern Ohio cases illustrate the different forms of suspected fraud identified during the nationwide operation, ranging from illegal exchanges of food benefits to alleged false statements involving multiple government assistance programs.
Federal authorities have indicated that enforcement efforts will continue as investigators work to identify individuals suspected of diverting public assistance funds away from their intended purposes.
The charges described in the criminal complaints and indictment remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
