A Gaithersburg man has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for orchestrating a SNAP benefits fraud scheme involving stolen identities, fraudulent EBT cards, passport fraud, and witness tampering.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, 34-year-old Brendyn Andrew was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang to 54 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $41,699.79 in restitution.
Federal prosecutors say Andrew used Maryland’s Department of Human Services online system between February and June 2021 to apply for SNAP benefits using the identities of more than 30 individuals. Investigators said Andrew falsely represented himself as the victims in order to obtain electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards loaded with benefits.
During the execution of a search warrant in October 2022, law enforcement reportedly found Andrew in possession of more than 15 EBT cards issued in other people’s names.
Authorities say the crimes extended beyond SNAP fraud. In January 2023 and February 2024, Andrew allegedly submitted fraudulent U.S. passport applications using stolen identities and Social Security numbers, including that of his own brother. Federal records showed he later used the fraudulently obtained passport to board multiple international flights.
While detained at the Chesapeake Detention Facility in Baltimore in March 2025, prosecutors say Andrew instructed his girlfriend and co-conspirator, 38-year-old Dominique Collins of Stafford, Virginia, to delete an email account to prevent it from being used in an official proceeding. Collins later pleaded guilty to witness tampering in March 2026. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 2.
Andrew was originally indicted in February 2025 on charges including aggravated identity theft, SNAP benefits fraud, Social Security number misuse, and theft of government property. A superseding indictment filed in May 2025 added additional charges related to unauthorized access devices, passport fraud, and witness tampering.
