BOSTON, Massachusetts — Massachusetts benefits fraud charges swept up 15 defendants on June 18, as the U.S. Justice Department announced arrests spanning SNAP food assistance, MassHealth, Social Security disability, unemployment benefits, and federal housing programs, with total alleged losses exceeding $1.4 million. Eleven of the 15 defendants are accused of residing in the United States without legal authorization. Several were found to be living under stolen identities, their real names still unknown to investigators at the time charges were filed.
The sweep was carried out by a coalition of federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, operating under the DOJ’s newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division.
Inside the Massachusetts Benefits Fraud Sweep
The single largest alleged fraud in the sweep belongs to Heriberto Rodriguez of Framingham, who faces charges of passport fraud, SNAP fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors say Rodriguez accumulated losses exceeding $546,463 across four separate programs: $175,182 in MassHealth fraud, $146,944 in Social Security fraud, $185,194 in HUD housing assistance fraud, and $39,000 in SNAP fraud. His case represents more than a third of the total alleged losses across all 15 defendants.
Mirian Chalas, 33, a U.S. citizen from Salem, New Hampshire, is charged with making false statements in connection with $266,000 in MassHealth fraud, $25,000 in Social Security Disability fraud, and $12,000 in SNAP fraud, bringing her alleged total to more than $303,000. Santo Escolastico Cuello, 56, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester, faces $162,180 in alleged MassHealth fraud tied to charges of aggravated identity theft and making false statements relating to a health care fraud program.
Richard Odelis Vallegas Nunez, 35, a Dominican national unlawfully living in Allston, is charged with aggravated identity theft and unlawful production of an identification document in connection with $48,865 in MassHealth fraud. Miguel Diaz Matos, 54, a Dominican national living in Lynn, faces charges of illegal acquisition of SNAP benefits, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft tied to $13,431 in SNAP fraud and $50,494 in MassHealth fraud.
Mario Baez Romero, 45, a Dominican national living in Somerville, is charged with aggravated identity theft and passport fraud in connection with $26,942 in SNAP fraud and $48,785 in MassHealth fraud. Prosecutors say Baez Romero was encountered during a law enforcement interdiction of a recreational vessel near Key Biscayne in Miami in May 2026, suggesting his criminal exposure extended beyond Massachusetts.
Yahaira Diaz Gomez, 45, a Dominican national living in Mattapan, is charged with making false statements relating to a health care program in connection with $48,694 in MassHealth fraud. Santo Tejada Sanchez, 48, a Dominican national unlawfully living in Haverhill, faces aggravated identity theft, theft of government funds, and SNAP fraud charges totaling $4,054. Jennifer Ferran, 48, and Owen Landry, 24, both U.S. citizens from Haverhill, are each charged with theft of government property, Social Security fraud, and furnishing false information to Social Security in connection with more than $29,000 each in alleged losses.
Four additional defendants are listed in charging documents only as John Doe, with prosecutors noting they were living under stolen identities. Their alleged individual losses range from $11,000 in SNAP fraud to $75,000 in MassHealth fraud, and each faces charges including aggravated identity theft and making false statements to federal programs.
The Visa Fraud Scheme and Sentencing Exposure
One defendant stands apart in method. Mitul Patel, 40, an Indian national unlawfully living in Worcester, is charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud after prosecutors allege that co-conspirators staged a false armed robbery at a convenience store. The scheme was designed to allow Patel and others to present themselves as victims of violent crime and apply for U Visas, a federal immigration status reserved for crime victims who assist law enforcement. No conviction has been entered, and the allegation remains unproven pending court proceedings.
The charges across the sweep carry significant sentencing exposure. SNAP fraud exceeding $5,000 carries up to 20 years in prison. Passport fraud and theft of government funds each carry up to 10 years. Unlawful production of an identification document carries up to 15 years. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other term imposed. Social Security fraud, visa fraud conspiracy, and making false statements to federal officials each carry up to five years. Fines across all charges can reach $250,000 per count, with Social Security fraud fines potentially doubling to reflect the gross gain or loss.
Federal Task Force Vows Rolling Charges
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said the June 18 arrests are the opening phase of a sustained enforcement campaign. “Beginning today, we will be announcing benefit fraud charges on a rolling basis,” Foley stated at a press conference at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston. She established the Benefit and Voter Fraud Team on March 26, 2026, a district-wide initiative led by two senior federal prosecutors tasked with aggressively pursuing misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits across Massachusetts.
The DOJ followed on April 7, 2026, by launching the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which is coordinating the nationwide effort under President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance. Acting Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald said the cases reflect a broader pattern of safety-net exploitation and that the Fraud Division would pursue both recovery of funds and criminal accountability.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that undocumented defendants who are convicted will face removal proceedings after their criminal sentences are served. HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Grimming said the agency was simultaneously working to dismantle identity document networks enabling the fraud, describing the document trade as a foundational infrastructure problem driving benefit theft at scale.
All 15 defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and all allegations remain unproven pending the outcome of court proceedings. Members of the public with information on suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts can report it by calling 1-855-722-6621.
