Federal and state law enforcement agencies have announced a major crackdown on alleged public benefits fraud in Massachusetts, charging 15 individuals in connection with more than $1.4 million in alleged fraud involving SNAP benefits, MassHealth, Social Security, HUD housing assistance, unemployment benefits, and other government programs.
The Allegations Announced by Federal Prosecutors
According to federal authorities, the following individuals were charged:
Heriberto Rodriguez (Framingham, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Passport fraud
- SNAP fraud
- Aggravated identity theft
Alleged benefit fraud losses:
- $175,182 in MassHealth fraud
- $146,944 in Social Security fraud
- $185,194 in HUD fraud
- $39,000 in SNAP fraud
Total alleged loss: $546,463
Mirian Chalas, 33 (Salem, New Hampshire)
Charged with:
- Making false statements
Alleged fraud losses:
- $266,000 in MassHealth fraud
- $25,000 in Social Security Disability fraud
- $12,000 in SNAP fraud
Santo Escolastico Cuello, 56 (Worcester, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Aggravated identity theft
- Making false statements relating to a healthcare program
Alleged fraud losses:
- $162,180 in MassHealth fraud
John Doe (Identity Unknown)
Charged with:
- False representation of a Social Security number
- Aggravated identity theft
- Making false statements relating to a healthcare program
Alleged fraud losses:
- $75,000 in MassHealth fraud
John Doe (Quincy, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits
- Theft of government funds
- Aggravated identity theft
Alleged fraud losses:
- $11,000 in SNAP fraud
Mario Baez Romero, 45 (Somerville, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Aggravated identity theft
- Passport fraud
Alleged fraud losses:
- $26,942 in SNAP fraud
- $48,785 in MassHealth fraud
Federal authorities allege Romero was encountered during a recreational vessel interdiction near Key Biscayne, Florida, in May 2026.
Richard Odelis Vallegas Nunez, 35 (Allston, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Aggravated identity theft
- Unlawful production of an identification document
Alleged fraud losses:
- $48,865 in MassHealth fraud
Miguel Diaz Matos, 54 (Lynn, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits
- Theft of government funds
- Aggravated identity theft
Alleged fraud losses:
- $13,431 in SNAP fraud
- $50,494 in MassHealth fraud
John Doe (Identity Unknown)
Charged with:
- Making false statements relating to a healthcare program
Alleged fraud losses:
- $32,717 in MassHealth fraud
John Doe (Lynn, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Aggravated identity theft
- Making false statements relating to a healthcare program
Alleged fraud losses:
- $38,776 in MassHealth fraud
Mitul Patel, 40 (Worcester, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Conspiracy to commit visa fraud
Federal prosecutors allege Patel participated in a scheme involving a staged armed robbery designed to facilitate applications for U visas available to certain victims of violent crimes.
Santo Tejada Sanchez, 48 (Haverhill, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Aggravated identity theft
- Theft of government funds
- SNAP fraud
Alleged fraud losses:
- $4,054 in SNAP benefits
Jennifer Ferran, 48 (Haverhill, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Theft of government property
- Social Security fraud
- Furnishing false information to Social Security
Alleged fraud losses:
- More than $29,000 in Social Security benefits
Owen Landry, also known as “Oski,” 24 (Haverhill, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Theft of government property
- Social Security fraud
- Furnishing false information to Social Security
Alleged fraud losses:
- More than $29,000 in Social Security benefits
Yahaira Diaz Gomez, 45 (Mattapan, Massachusetts)
Charged with:
- Making false statements relating to a healthcare program
Alleged fraud losses:
- $48,694 in MassHealth fraud
Crimes at the Center of the Investigation
The charges announced in these cases involve a wide range of federal offenses, including:
- SNAP (food stamp) fraud
- MassHealth/Medicaid fraud
- Social Security fraud
- Housing assistance fraud
- Theft of government funds
- Identity theft
- Aggravated identity theft
- Passport fraud
- Visa fraud
- False statements to government agencies
- False use of Social Security numbers
- Production of fraudulent identification documents
Many of these offenses carry substantial penalties, including significant prison sentences, supervised release, restitution obligations, and large fines. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory consecutive two-year prison sentence if convicted.
Federal and State Authorities Announce Intensified Enforcement
The announcement demonstrates a coordinated effort among numerous agencies. When making the announcement, federal prosecutors emphasized the creation of the Massachusetts Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, established to investigate and prosecute alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs.
The Massachusetts enforcement priorities take place in the context that the Department of Justice recently created the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which is focused on investigating and prosecuting fraud involving government benefit programs nationwide.
Authorities Warn of a Continued Crackdown
Government officials made clear that these cases are only the beginning of broader enforcement efforts.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley stated:
“Today’s announcement is just the beginning of what will be a sustained and ongoing effort to arrest and charge individuals for benefit fraud in Massachusetts.”
She further emphasized:
“Beginning today, we will be announcing benefit fraud charges on a rolling basis.”
Jeffrey Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, stated:
“During this short surge operation, we have uncovered over $1 million of fraud — but we’re just getting started.”
Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor, added:
“We will continue working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, and our federal and state partners to hunt down these criminals.”
Roberto Coviello of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General emphasized:
“Every fraudulent dollar paid out through these schemes is a dollar taken from those who are truly entitled to these benefits.”
The message from federal authorities is clear: benefit fraud investigations are becoming a major enforcement priority.
Being Charged Is Not the Same as Being Convicted
Although the government has announced serious allegations, it is important to remember that criminal charges are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal investigations often involve extensive document reviews, financial records, identity records, electronic communications, immigration records, and witness testimony. Prosecutors must prove every element of the charged offenses.
Potential defenses may involve:
- Lack of intent to defraud
- Mistaken identity
- Inaccurate government calculations
- Eligibility disputes
- Administrative errors
- Insufficient evidence
- Constitutional violations during the investigation
Seek Support from an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are under investigation for SNAP fraud, Medicaid fraud, Social Security fraud, identity theft, passport fraud, visa fraud, or any related offense, the decisions you make early in the case can have a big impact on the outcome.
Federal investigators frequently build cases for months or years before charges are filed. Early intervention by an experienced criminal defense attorney may help protect your rights, challenge the government’s evidence, and position your case for the best possible outcome.
Whether you are facing allegations involving public benefits, identity theft, immigration-related offenses, or financial crimes, our award-winning attorneys at Dhar Law, LLP have extensive experience defending federal fraud cases. If you or a loved one has been charged with federal benefits fraud, contact our team at 617 880-6155 to discuss strategy and options.
