A West Virginia distributor faces 15 criminal charges in Pennsylvania involving an alleged Little Debbie snack delivery fraud scheme. The City of Washington Police Department in Pennsylvania filed charges against James Powell of Valley Grove, West Virginia. Authorities are seeking $17,167.97 in restitution, according to a department release provided directly to FreightWaves. Powell remains in custody while undergoing extradition from West Virginia to Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Police allege Powell created fraudulent delivery invoices while working as a distributor. Those records showed Little Debbie products reaching Pennsylvania retail stores when the deliveries never occurred. Investigators also accuse him of using forged employee signatures to falsely verify receipt of merchandise. The invoices then entered the manufacturer’s central billing system.
The investigation identified Shop N’ Save, Giant Eagle and Walmart locations within Washington County, Pennsylvania. Stewart Snacks LLC operates as an independent distributor of Little Debbie snack products. Authorities allege the company reimbursed affected retailers and the manufacturer for resulting losses. Powell received commission payments for deliveries that never occurred, according to the release.
Investigation started in Ohio
The case began after Stewart Snacks reported suspected fraudulent business records and missing products. The company initially contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio. Investigators later determined that offenses occurred within Washington, Pennsylvania, and South Strabane Township, Pennsylvania. Authorities then referred the matter to the City of Washington Police Department.
Washington police conducted an extensive investigation after receiving the case. Detectives examined delivery invoices connected with several retail locations in Pennsylvania. Their findings included records that allegedly documented merchandise customers never received. Investigators also identified signatures they contend falsely confirmed those transactions.
The department consulted with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office in Pennsylvania before filing criminal charges. Powell now faces three second-degree felony counts of forgery. Prosecutors also brought two third-degree felony counts each for theft by deception and unlawful taking. Another third-degree felony accuses him of deceptive or fraudulent business practices.
Charges include forgery and theft
Seven first-degree misdemeanor counts complete the 15 charges filed against Powell in Pennsylvania. Three involve tampering with records or identification. Separate counts accuse him of theft by deception and unlawful taking. Two additional charges involve deceptive or fraudulent business practices.
Authorities later took Powell into custody in West Virginia under an arrest warrant connected with the Pennsylvania investigation. He is undergoing extradition proceedings, according to Washington police. That process would return him from West Virginia to Washington County, Pennsylvania. Powell will answer to the filed criminal charges there.
All charges remain allegations. Powell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Why it matters
Fraudulent paperwork can make a nonexistent delivery appear legitimate inside normal business systems. Verification controls can help companies identify inconsistencies before invoices, payments or commissions move through that process.
Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
CargoNet reports $304.6M in losses, Scott Cornell says Q2 theft drop is no trend yet – FreightWaves
392 stolen vehicles worth $28M stopped before overseas export, RCMP says – FreightWaves
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now