CLEVELAND — The U.S. Secret Service, Ohio Investigative Unit and the USDA’s Food Nutrition Services just completed an 11-month SNAP trafficking investigation in Cleveland.
"There were around 17,000 illegal transactions that took place. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000 was recovered,” said Brad Porcella, U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge.
Agents said those benefits were illegally traded for cash, clothes, appliances and other items.
"Exchanging the SNAP benefits for cash is the most common form of trafficking for the SNAP program,” said Porcella.
Search warrants were executed at Sagarmatha Home Décor LLC in Cleveland, located at 13721 B Lorain Avenue. Also located at that address is Darnal Bro Jewelry LLC, which the owner said was not involved in the criminal investigation.
"I would like to respectfully clarify that Darnal Bro Jewelry LLC is not involved in this matter. The store in question is Sagarmatha Home Decor, which operates separately and is owned by Rup Chettri. Sagarmatha Home Decor subleases space from Darnal Bro, but we are not affiliated with or responsible for their business operations," said Amber Darnal, owner of Darnal Bro Jewelry LLC.
A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury indicted Rup Chhetri on multiple felony counts, including illegal use of SNAP benefits, money laundering, telecommunications fraud and grand theft.
Search warrants were executed at Chhetri's business as well as her home, according to court documents.
