A Dominican Republic national living in the United States illegally has admitted to stealing $213,000 in food stamp benefits in Rhode Island, according to a federal press release.
Jomar Lopez Meirelles, 41, pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and was found to be in illegal possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest, police said. press release From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.
Lopez Meirelles pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4th.
Investigators said Lopez-Meirelles engaged in a scheme to apply for SNAP benefits using stolen identification and false Social Security numbers. After applying for benefits using the false identification, Lopez-Meirelles received Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards loaded with cash, which he then sold to others for cash.
Lopez Meirelles reportedly submitted false applications for SNAP assistance between September 2021 and November 2023 to the Rhode Island Department of Human Resources, which administers the SNAP program in the state.
A search of his apartment turned up dozens of EBT cards wrapped in paper with account numbers and PINs written on them. Authorities also found a 9mm handgun in the apartment. It is illegal for undocumented immigrants to possess firearms in the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit’s Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and several Rhode Island State Police agencies.
The SNAP program received its largest increase in history under President Joe Biden due to the adverse effects of rising food prices caused by inflation.
The maximum benefit a family of four can receive will increase from $835 to $939 a month in late 2022. This will be the largest annual increase since the USDA implemented the Thrifty Food Program in 1975.
However, Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa introduced a bill in 2023.SB2923The agency said it would save about $1 billion a month by reducing taxpayer costs from SNAP payment errors, noting that there were about $11.2 billion in overpayments in 2022 alone.
“While families across the country go hungry, bureaucrats are gobbling down SNAP funds as a means to pad state budgets or as a self-serve benefits buffet for themselves and those who don’t qualify,” Ernst said. Said“I will fight back! It’s time for responsible states to pay the price and shoulder the cost of taxpayer waste. Let’s end the waste and put a seat at the table for hungry families, not over-servicing bureaucrats.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Hustonor the Society of Truth Warner Todd Houston
