Probation officer charged with using fugitive’s SNAP benefits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island State Police arrested a Cranston probation officer Friday for alleged fraudulent use of a fugitive’s SNAP benefits.

Tracee Johnson, 46, is charged with fraudulent use of food stamps and conspiracy.

Johnson allegedly obtained an EBT card belonging to Carlos Rodriguez and used the card between March 25 and June 22, 2024 in the amount of $729.01.

Johnson was arrested outside of Providence Superior Court and declined to be interviewed.

She entered no plea and was released on $3,000 personal recognizance and will next appear in court on November 15, 2024.

Rodriguez was incarcerated from November 2015 through June 2023, and visitor logs show that Johnson visited Rodriguez a total of 65 times and listed her relationship to him as both “friend” and “girlfriend.”

After his release, Rodriguez was suspected of shooting at Johnston police officers in November of 2023 after a vehicle and foot chase through Johnston and Providence.

Evading capture, Rodriguez was determined to have fled the state.

While Rodriguez was on the run, police determined that Johnson used Rodriguez’s EBT card to make purchases in Rhode Island.

Rodriguez was apprehended in Florida in April of 2024 by US Marshals.