A Durango man is being held in the La Plata County jail after being arrested Wednesday for attempting to sell an Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
Benjamin Barovier, 28, is being held without bail on a parole violation relating to a previous aggravated robbery conviction and a probation violation, according to a news release from the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office. Theft, criminal impersonation and fraud charges are pending, the release said.
Barovier reportedly was trying to sell the EBT card to the highest bidder using Craigslist, an online classified ad service. EBT debit cards have cash values added to them on a regular basis as part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps people purchase food. The Sheriff’s Office learned of the listing last week from La Plata County Human Services.
Undercover investigators met up with Barovier at 2 p.m. Wednesday, and the arrest occurred the same day. Barovier was taken into custody without incident by officers observing the operation.
eseverson@durangoherald.com
