A U.S. Army soldier was arrested in Gwinnett County last week, accused of using Craigslist to buy food stamps with cash -- and completing the illicit transactions while wearing a sweatshirt identifying his unit and battalion.
Eugene Clark, a 39-year-old stationed at Fort Benning in Columbus, was arrested Friday and charged with financial transaction card fraud and fraud in obtaining public assistance, food stamps or Medicaid. Jail records show he was released the next day after posting $11,700 bond
Gwinnett County police said the investigation into Clark started more than two months ago, when detectives got a tip about someone advertising their desire to purchase EBT cards -- which are loaded with welfare dollars that can be used to purchase food -- on Craigslist. Detectives discovered several ads and made contact with Clark, posing as a seller, spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said.
"The offer was that the suspect would purchase a $600 EBT card for $300 in cash," Pihera said in a news release. "They arranged to meet regularly at a local grocery store on Sugarloaf Parkway in unincorporated Duluth."
The first meeting happened March 18, police said. The undercover detective gave a card to Clark, who had "arrived wearing a sweatshirt with his Army unit's identifying information." The soldier checked the balance on his phone before confirming that it worked by making "a small purchase" inside the store, police said.
The detective confirmed Clark's military status with Fort Benning, which "offered full cooperation with the investigation," Pihera said.
Additional transactions were completed on April 1 and April 22, police said. Clark was arrested after the latter.
Clark's rank -- and status -- with the Army were unclear Wednesday afternoon. Messages left with the public affairs office at Fort Benning were not immediately returned.
About the Author
