Penalty for Unauthorized Use of Federal Food Stamps or Federal Food Stamp Benefits. Any person who knowingly uses, acquires, possesses, or transfers federal food stamps, or federal food stamp benefits, or Electronic Benefit Transfer card for federal food stamp benefits, or authorizations to participate in the federal food stamp program in any manner not authorized by law or the rules and regulations of the Illinois Department, or who knowingly alters or uses, acquires, possesses or transfers altered federal food stamps, or federal food stamp benefits, or Electronic Benefit Transfer card for federal food stamp benefits, or authorizations to participate in the federal food stamp program, or who knowingly alters or falsifies electronic federal food stamp benefit data or possesses or uses altered or falsified electronic federal food stamp benefit data for the purpose of making claims for or receiving redemption of food stamp benefits or for the substantiation of redemptions received, is guilty of a violation of this Article and shall be punished as provided in Section 8A-6.