By Tiffany Williams –
Federal authorities say a sweeping benefit fraud crackdown across Massachusetts has resulted in charges against 15 individuals accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $1.4 million in taxpayer-funded benefits.
The defendants include 11 individuals described by federal authorities as illegal aliens and four United States citizens. The allegations span multiple programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, MassHealth, Social Security disability benefits, unemployment benefits and housing assistance.
The cases were announced as part of an aggressive effort by federal authorities to identify and prosecute individuals accused of fraud involving government-funded programs.
According to federal authorities, the largest alleged fraud case involves Heriberto Rodriguez of Framingham.
Rodriguez is charged with passport fraud, SNAP fraud and aggravated identity theft. Authorities allege total benefit fraud losses of $546,463, including $175,182 in MassHealth fraud, $146,944 in Social Security fraud, $185,194 in HUD fraud and $39,000 in SNAP fraud.
Mirian Chalas, 33, a United States citizen living in 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.
Santo Escolastico Cuello, 56, a Dominican national unlawfully living in Worcester, is charged with aggravated identity theft and making false statements relating to a health care program in connection with $162,180 in MassHealth fraud.
Federal prosecutors also charged multiple defendants whose identities remain unknown.
One defendant identified only as John Doe is accused of false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft and making false statements relating to a health care program in connection with $75,000 in MassHealth fraud.
Another John Doe, believed by authorities to be living in Quincy, is charged with illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits, theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft in connection with approximately $11,000 in SNAP fraud.
Mario Baez Romero, 45, a Dominican national unlawfully 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.
Federal authorities allege Baez Romero was encountered during an interdiction of a recreational vessel near Key Biscayne, Florida, in May 2026.
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, is charged with illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits, theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft in connection with $13,431 in SNAP fraud and $50,494 in MassHealth fraud.
Additional John Doe defendants are accused of making false statements relating to health care programs and aggravated identity theft involving tens of thousands of dollars in alleged MassHealth fraud.
Federal authorities also announced charges against Mitul Patel, 40, an Indian national unlawfully living in Worcester.
Patel is charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Authorities allege co-conspirators staged a false armed robbery at a convenience store to allow individuals, including Patel, to seek U Visas as victims of violent crimes.
Santo Tejada Sanchez, 48, a Dominican national unlawfully living in Haverhill, is charged with aggravated identity theft, theft of government funds and SNAP benefit fraud totaling $4,054.
Jennifer Ferran, 48, a United States citizen living in Haverhill, is charged with theft of government property, Social Security fraud and furnishing false information to Social Security in connection with more than $29,000 in Social Security fraud.
Owen Landry, also known as “Oski,” 24, a United States citizen living in Haverhill, faces similar charges involving more than $29,000 in Social Security fraud.
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 alleged MassHealth fraud.
Federal authorities say the charges carry significant potential penalties.
Among the most serious is SNAP fraud involving more than $5,000, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
Other charges announced in the cases include passport fraud, theft of government funds, Social Security fraud, unlawful production of identification documents, conspiracy to commit visa fraud and making false statements to federal officials.
Federal officials emphasized that sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement comes less than three months after United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team on March 26, 2026.
Federal authorities said the district-wide initiative was created in response to what officials described as rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.
The team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators and is tasked with investigating and prosecuting alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits throughout the Commonwealth.
Authorities are encouraging members of the public to report suspected benefit fraud by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1.
The investigations remain ongoing.