BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Mass. has been arrested and charged for allegedly using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as food stamps. Juana Milagros Peña Peña, 37, was charged by criminal complaint with one count each of theft of government money, aggravated identity theft and SNAP fraud. Peña was arrested at her home on Oct. 19, 2026 and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. According to the criminal complaint, Peña – a citizen of the Dominican Republic, who has been unlawfully residing in the United States since at least 2016 – fraudulently used the identity of a U.S. citizen to apply for and receive over $11,000 in SNAP benefits dating back to 2021. The victim, whose birth certificate and Social Security number Peña has fraudulently passed off as her own, reported to authorities that the theft of her identity has negatively affected her credit and has required her to utilize a special PIN when filing her taxes.
The charge of SNAP fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year prison sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General; the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potapchuk of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621). On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.