RI State Police Arrest 24 on Charges of Food Stamps and Public Assistance Fraud
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
The Rhode Island State Police announces that 24 individuals were arrested earlier today on charges stemming from fraudulently obtaining public assistance and food stamps.
On average the 24 arrested are tied to less than $50,000 in thefts. Those arrested live in communities across the state and range in age from 23 to 61 years of age.
Members of the Rhode Island State Police Detective Bureau, in conjunction with investigators from the Rhode Island Department of Administration’s Office of Internal Audit – Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit, conducted investigations into the unauthorized spending of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) funds. The investigations stemmed from an analysis of data from the state Department of Administration, which identified the alleged theft of state assistance benefits totaling $48,966.12.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs a result of this investigation, members of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit today arrested the 24 suspects.
According to the Rhode Island State Police the following are charged:
Sandra Hernandez, age 35, 192 Park Holm, Newport
Obtaining Money False Pretenses, Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Perjury
Madaley Lopez, age 29, 1065 Dexter St., Central Falls
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Janely Lopez, age 27, 1065 Dexter St., Central Falls
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Kimberly Turnage, age 41, 231 Maple Ave., Apt. 601, Newport
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Frank Turnage, age 49, 231 Maple Ave, Apt. 601, Newport
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Aileen Ramos, age 38, 850 Eddie Dowling Highway, North Smithfield
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Taylor Rego, age 23, 839 Sanderson Road, Johnston
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Danielle Orsini, age 25, 839 Sanderson Road, Johnston
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Conspiracy
Jessica Blinn, age 35, 90 Girard Ave., Apt. 141, Newport
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Maryann Lovenbury, age 61, 1214 Cranston St., Apt. 110, Cranston
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Alba Gonzalez, age 39, 50 Randall St., Apt. 8A., Providence
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Karen Delgizzo, age 55, 1650 Douglas Ave., Apt. 1112, North Providence
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps and Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses
Jeannette Robinson, age 57, of 29 Cedar Drive, Hope Valley
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Sandra Greene, age 51, 185 East St., Apt. 3F, Pawtucket
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Crystal Gervais, age 38, 23 Denver Ave., Cranston
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Anthony Lovell, age 59, 10 Dorr St., Providence
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Alicia Moore, age 28, 140 Leonard Jenard Dr., Apt. 2B, Pawtucket
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Mollie Lassiter, age 53, 25 Sunbury St., Apt. 1R, Providence
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Gloria Tiberi, age 55, 1332 Main St., Coventry
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps (two counts)
Michelle Nelson, age 40, 211 Blanchard Ave., Warwick
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Deseri Watts, age 36, 3 Whisper Way, Hopkinton, MA
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Kevin Smith, age 55, 270 Douglas Road, Warwick
Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance and Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
Sandra Wilson, age 59, 192 Park Holm, Newport
Filing False Documents
Anne Earnhart, age 24, 433 Charles St., Providence
Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps
All 24 individuals were processed at Rhode Island State Police headquarters and held for arraignment in Sixth Division District Court today.
Any person convicted of Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance may be sentenced to up to five (5) years imprisonment and/or fined one thousand dollars ($1,000) if the value of public assistance exceeded five hundred dollars ($500). Any person convicted of Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps, whether a felony or misdemeanor shall be ineligible to participate in the food stamp program for no less than six (6) months and no more than twenty-four (24) months.
This story was first published 11/20/18 4:37 PM
