Three charged after food stamp benefits sold on Facebook

OIU News Release

Date: April 12, 2017
Contact: Agent-in-Charge George Pitre
(330) 497-5411

Three charged after food stamp benefits sold on Facebook

(CANTON) – Agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit and deputies with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office charged three people after investigating an individual who sold his girlfriend’s food stamp benefits through a Facebook account.

On March 16, officials charged Barberton residents Bernard Park, 34, and Samantha Campbell, 29, with illegal use of food stamps. On April 12, Darla Smith, 41, of Akron, was charged with misuse of a credit card after she purchased food stamp benefits from Park and Campbell for approximately half the cash value.

Campbell was arraigned on April 4. Park’s arraignment took place on April 10. Each were arraigned in Barberton Municipal Court. Smith will appear in Akron Municipal Court on April 21.

If convicted Park and Campbell could face up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Smith could face up to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.  

The food stamp program provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. It is against the law for food stamp recipients to sell his/her benefits. It is also against the law for another person to purchase these benefits.

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