A Little Debbie delivery driver is facing a slew of charges after police said he sold his snacks for cash at flea markets throughout Washington County and then submitted thousands of dollars in fake invoices to make it appear as if stores had purchased his product.
The local investigation into 39-year-old James Powell of Valley Grove, West Virginia, began in May, when the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office contacted the City of Washington Police Department about an investigation involving Stewart Snacks, LLC, in Richmond, Ohio, and allegations of theft and fraud against Powell, a former employee.
According to the business owner, Powell ordered, transported, delivered, stocked, and serviced Little Debbie snack products at numerous retail locations around Washington County while working for him.
According to investigators, the billing method involved wholesalers delivering merchandise to businesses and submitting invoices, which the stores then paid. Furthermore, investigators claimed Powell was paid on a commission basis. Powell was paid each week based on how many snacks he sold in his allotted territory.
Investigators claimed they discovered over $13,300 in fake invoices to businesses such as Shop ‘n Save, Giant Eagle, and Walmart between July and September of last year. Powell had been selling Little Debbie snacks for cash from his delivery vehicle at flea markets, then filing phony invoices stating that the products had been delivered. He also collected over $3,700 in commission, according to investigators, bringing the total loss to over $17,100.
Powell faces charges include forgery, theft by deceit, theft by unlawful taking, misleading or fraudulent business activities, and tampering with records or identification.
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