Two men walked into a Sam’s Club in Doral, Florida, and filled a cart with bulk packages of detergent, coffee, Spam and cashews. Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputies say information from 10 compromised NationsBenefits accounts was then used to pay the $2,704.59 bill.
Romario Cornel Stewart, 32, and Myrthland Damien Ince, 33, were arrested September 21 after the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crimes Squad and Walmart Global Investigations conducted surveillance at the store on Northwest 13th Terrace. Deputies detained both men after they left the store.
The operation was part of a broader investigation into the fraudulent use of compromised Florida Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and NationsBenefits accounts at Sam’s Club and Walmart locations across South Florida. Investigators said Stewart was recognized from previous fraudulent transactions before the purchase began.
Both men face 10 felony counts involving fraudulent use of personal identification information, along with third-degree grand theft and public assistance fraud charges. After first-appearance hearings September 22, Stewart’s total bond was set at $50,000 and Ince’s at $35,000, with Nebbia requirements attached to both.
The Cart Held 70 Packages of Spam
According to the Miami-Dade arrest affidavit, Stewart and Ince entered the Sam’s Club at 8425 NW 13th Terrace while sheriff’s deputies and Walmart investigators were conducting surveillance.
Investigators said the two selected 20 containers of Tide liquid detergent, 18 packages of Café Bustelo, 70 packages of Spam Classic and one package of Member’s Mark cashews. The total at checkout was $2,704.59.
They took the merchandise to a self-checkout register and scanned the items. The affidavit says payment was then completed using personally identifiable information associated with 10 different compromised NationsBenefits accounts.
The transaction was captured on surveillance video. After Stewart and Ince exited the store, investigators detained them as they entered the roadway. A Walmart Global Investigations employee determined that 10 different NationsBenefits cards had been used during the transaction.
The affidavit says NationsBenefits subsequently provided investigators with the identities of the compromised cardholders.
NationsBenefits cards themselves are a legitimate form of payment for qualifying benefits. Sam’s Club lists NationsBenefits among the benefit cards accepted for in-club purchases, and NationsBenefits announced an expanded collaboration with the warehouse chain in June allowing eligible health-plan members to use its Flex Card for qualifying grocery and over-the-counter purchases.
Deputies Found 10 Re-Encoded Debit Cards
Searches following the arrests produced 10 physical debit cards that investigators say had been altered to carry NationsBenefits account information.
Deputies said a search of Ince produced six debit cards that had been re-encoded with NationsBenefits account numbers. Stewart allegedly had four additional debit cards re-encoded with NationsBenefits account information.
That brought the total to 10 physical cards, matching the number of compromised accounts investigators said were used during the Sam’s Club transaction.
The affidavit also records a statement attributed to Stewart after he was detained. Investigators wrote that Stewart spontaneously said the debit cards in his possession had been purchased at CVS.
Florida’s identity-fraud statute defines personal identification information broadly enough to include debit card numbers, account numbers, food-assistance account numbers and other access devices that can be used to obtain goods or services.
The affidavit cites Section 817.568(2)(b) for the 10 identity-information counts. That provision applies when personal identification information belonging to at least 10 but fewer than 20 people is fraudulently used without consent, among other circumstances.
Court Records List 12 Felony Charges
Current Miami-Dade court records for Stewart’s case, F26018965, list 12 felony charge entries: 10 identity-information counts, one count of third-degree grand theft and one public assistance fraud count.
The arrest affidavit cites Florida Statute 817.568(2)(b) for the identity-information allegations and Section 812.014 for third-degree grand theft. Florida law places theft of property worth at least $750 but less than $20,000 within the third-degree grand theft range.
The court record also lists one felony public-assistance fraud charge. The arrest paperwork cites Florida Statute 414.39 for that allegation.
Stewart’s September 22 court docket shows probable cause was found and lists bond of $4,000 on each of the 10 identity-information counts, $7,500 on the grand theft count and $2,500 on the public assistance fraud count. That produces a total of $50,000, along with a Nebbia requirement.
Ince’s official jail record lists the same three charge categories and a $35,000 total bond following probable-cause findings. WSVN reported that both men were also ordered to stay away from Sam’s Club and Walmart locations in Miami-Dade County.
Stewart and Ince are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Benefit Card Holders Can Review Transactions and Lock Their Cards
NationsBenefits says retail transactions made through its cards are stored in the Benefits Pro Portal and can be reviewed by members.
NationsBenefits says members can review retail transactions and activate, lock or replace their cards through the Benefits Pro Portal. For questions about supplemental benefits, it directs members to the toll-free number provided by their health plan or to their online account.