State Police arrest twenty after food stamps and public assistance fraudulently used

ABC6 News

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6

Twitter: @ABC6

SCITUATE, R.I (WLNE) – Twenty individuals were charged after obtaining approximately $14,000 in food stamps and public services.

An investigation was conducted by the State Police Detective Bureau as well as the Rhode Island Department of Administration’s Office of Internal Audit – Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit to pinpoint individuals unlawfully using Electronic Benefit Transfer funds.

After data was analyzed by investigators, the amount fraudulently obtained clearly violated the Rhode Island Public Assistance Act.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with fraud by the State Police Financial Crimes Unit as a result of the investigation:

  • Samantha Davenport, 31

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Andrea M. Correia, age 35

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Sherri L. Cameron, age 44

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Jennifer L. Hopkins, age 29

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Under $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

  • Brian W. O’Donnell, age 54

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Stephanie D. Morse, age 42

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Jeffrey L. Douglas, age 48

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Hillary J. McKechnie, age 33

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Robin E. Eckstein, age 55

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

Soliciting Another to Commit a Crime (Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance)

  • Kerri A. Morris, age 49

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Ambar Sanchez, age 32

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Under $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

  • Albert H. Jacques, age 60

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

  • Mirna N. Ferla, age 51

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • James C. Douglas, age 49

Soliciting Another to Commit a Crime (Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance)

Parole Board Warrant – Violation of Parole

  • Tammi Lynn Gundy, age 49

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Maribel Santiago, age 59

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Hector Santiago, age 59

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500

  • Eric A. Delrosario, age 32

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

  • Dorothy T. Pona, age 34

Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Under $500

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

  • Robert A. Ciaramello, age 48

Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

According to State Police, "

All the suspects were processed, arraigned and released on personal recognizance, pending further court action. Any person convicted of Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance may be sentenced to up to five (5) years of imprisonment and/or fined one thousand dollars ($1,000) if the value of the 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."

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018

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