GREENVILLE, SC (WBTW) – The three suspects arrested last week in FBI raid of a Myrtle Beach motel and other properties were in Federal Court Wednesday morning.

The suspects, Sherif Abdelwahab Alkassar, 36, of Myrtle Beach, Lesley Amanda Alkassar, 38, of Blacksburg, and Katie Leighanne Polson, 29, of Myrtle Beach had a status hearing for legal representation for the charges they faces after being arrested June 9.

United States District Court documents revealed a criminal complaint made by FBI Special Agent Jennifer Cormack that states the three suspects are accused of:

  • Unauthorized acquisition, use, and possession of benefit cards
  • Fraud by mail
  • False statements relating to naturalization / citizenship

A press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office details that each suspect is charged with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT card) fraud, but only Sherif Abdelwahab Alkassar faces charges of mail fraud and making false statements regarding citizenship.

Sherif Alkassar will obtain his own attorney, while Lesley Alkassar has requested a public defender and Katie Polson will have CJA counsel, according to court documents.

All three suspects received personal recognizance bonds during Thursday’s hearing. The conditions for release of each suspect are as follows:Sherif Alkassar

  • Surrender passport
  • Don’t travel outside of SC without permission from probation office
  • Don’t possess “firearm, destructive device, or other weapon”
  • Placed on electronic monitoring for 6 months or until changed by district judge

Lesley Alkassar

  • Surrender passport
  • Don’t travel outside of SC without permission from probation office
  • Don’t possess “firearm, destructive device, or other weapon”

Katie Polson

  • Surrender passport
  • Don’t travel outside of SC without permission from probation office
  • Don’t possess “firearm, destructive device, or other weapon”

The documents state that the crimes occurred in Cherokee County between April 2015 and May 2016.

FBI agents were also seen Thursday morning combing through materials at the 7 Brothers Motel, located at 103 N Ocean Boulevard.

A News13 crew at the motel could see federal agents taking photos of electronics, including DVRs and routers, and paperwork within the office area.