Lake Charles man sentenced to four years in prison for food stamp fraud
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:38 PM
A Lake Charles man who pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison and ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley said.
Vincent Edward DaPrince, 46, was sentenced to 51 months in prison, three years’ supervised release and 50 hours of community service, she said.
DaPrince, who also goes by Vincent Briggs, pleaded guilty April 19, Finley said. Through his mobile food van service, “Da Store” or “Dr. Restaurant,” DaPrince offered food stamp recipients 60 cents on the dollar cash, she said.
Using the recipients’ electronic benefit cards, he would deposit the full amount into his bank account, eventually accumulating more than $1 million, she said.
The U.S. Secret Service and the USDA used Louisiana Purchase cards to engage in 11 undercover electronic transactions with DaPrince, Finley said.
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