Local Woman Sentenced for Theft of U.S. Government Funds
Cleotilde Puac-Gomez, a 46-year-old citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Clarion, Iowa, has been sentenced to two months in federal prison for her role in the theft of U.S. government funds.
According to court documents, Puac-Gomez failed to disclose her husband’s income when applying for welfare benefits, resulting in the overpayment of $19,908.30 in food stamps and other welfare benefits. This occurred between June 2012 and November 2017.
Puac-Gomez pleaded guilty to one count of theft of U.S. government funds on February 6, 2019. Her husband, Melvin Rodriguez-Barrios, also an illegal alien, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on March 27, 2019, for his role in the scheme.
As part of her sentence, Puac-Gomez was ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release after her prison term. She must also make $19,908.30 in restitution to the State of Iowa.
Puac-Gomez is currently being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Investigation Division – Economic Fraud Control Bureau.
The case file number is 18-CR-3044. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
Cleotilde Puac-Gomez, illegal alien, was sentenced to two months in federal prison for one count of theft of U.S. government funds. She was also ordered to make $19,908.30 in restitution to the State of Iowa.
Criminal Charges: one count of theft of U.S. government funds
City and State: Clarion, Iowa
Exact Date: February 6, 2019
Sentence: two months in federal prison, $19,908.30 in restitution
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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