PORTLAND, Ore. — An Italian national living in Oregon was sentenced to federal prison for his role in a scheme to steal food benefits, using them to buy millions of dollars in nonperishable goods for sale on the black market.
Giovanni Spirea, 29, was sentenced Wednesday to two years in federal prison and three years on supervised release. He’ll also owe nearly $62,000 in restitution.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, Spirea was part of a theft ring spanning several states beginning in August 2023 and up until October of last year. Using electronic skimming devices, Spirea and the other suspects stole Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits…