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Italian National in Oregon Sentenced to Two Years for $2.4 Million SNAP Skimming Conspiracy

Prosecutors say the scheme skimmed EBT data across three states, converting stolen benefits into more than 120,000 pounds of goods sold on the black market.

Overview

  • Giovanni Spirea, 29, received a 24‑month federal prison term, three years of supervised release, and a $61,874.32 restitution order.
  • From August 2023 to October 2024, conspirators used electronic skimmers to clone EBT cards and drain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program accounts.
  • The network bought infant formula, energy drinks, and other SNAP‑eligible items in Oregon, Washington, and California and through curbside pickup platforms.
  • Investigators say more than 120,000 pounds of goods were stored in the Pacific Northwest and transported to California for black‑market resale.
  • A Portland grand jury indicted Spirea and 16 co‑defendants in October 2024, and he pleaded guilty on July 30, 2025 to conspiracy to defraud the United States; USDA OIG, HSI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and regional police agencies led the case.