A West Virginia distributor faces 15 felony costs in Pennsylvania involving an alleged Little Debbie snack supply fraud scheme. The Metropolis of Washington Police Division in Pennsylvania filed costs in opposition to James Powell of Valley Grove, West Virginia. Authorities are looking for $17,167.97 in restitution, based on a division launch supplied on to BigRig. Powell stays in custody whereas present process extradition from West Virginia to Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Police allege Powell created fraudulent supply invoices whereas working as a distributor. These information confirmed Little Debbie merchandise reaching Pennsylvania retail shops when the deliveries by no means occurred. Investigators additionally accuse him of utilizing cast worker signatures to falsely confirm receipt of merchandise. The invoices then entered the producer’s central billing system.
The investigation recognized Store N’ Save, Large Eagle and Walmart areas inside Washington County, Pennsylvania. Stewart Snacks LLC operates as an impartial distributor of Little Debbie snack merchandise. Authorities allege the corporate reimbursed affected retailers and the producer for ensuing losses. Powell acquired fee funds for deliveries that by no means occurred, based on the discharge.
Investigation began in Ohio
The case started after Stewart Snacks reported suspected fraudulent enterprise information and lacking merchandise. The corporate initially contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Workplace in Ohio. Investigators later decided that offenses occurred inside Washington, Pennsylvania, and South Strabane Township, Pennsylvania. Authorities then referred the matter to the Metropolis of Washington Police Division.
Washington police carried out an intensive investigation after receiving the case. Detectives examined supply invoices linked with a number of retail areas in Pennsylvania. Their findings included information that allegedly documented merchandise clients by no means acquired. Investigators additionally recognized signatures they contend falsely confirmed these transactions.
The division consulted with the Washington County District Legal professional’s Workplace in Pennsylvania earlier than submitting felony costs. Powell now faces three second-degree felony counts of forgery. Prosecutors additionally introduced two third-degree felony counts every for theft by deception and illegal taking. One other third-degree felony accuses him of misleading or fraudulent enterprise practices.
Costs embody forgery and theft
Seven first-degree misdemeanor counts full the 15 costs filed in opposition to Powell in Pennsylvania. Three contain tampering with information or identification. Separate counts accuse him of theft by deception and illegal taking. Two extra costs contain misleading or fraudulent enterprise practices.
Authorities later took Powell into custody in West Virginia beneath an arrest warrant linked with the Pennsylvania investigation. He’s present process extradition proceedings, based on Washington police. That course of would return him from West Virginia to Washington County, Pennsylvania. Powell will reply to the filed felony costs there.
All costs stay allegations. Powell is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible in courtroom.
Why it issues
Fraudulent paperwork could make a nonexistent supply seem reliable inside regular enterprise methods. Verification controls may help firms establish inconsistencies earlier than invoices, funds or commissions transfer by means of that course of.
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