24 arrested for food stamp fraud

Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces that 24 individuals were arrested on charges stemming from fraudulently obtaining public assistance and food stamps.

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.

As a result of this investigation, members of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit today arrested the 24 suspects. Their names and charges are as follows:

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.