Beneath the surface of Rhode Island’s communities, a tangled web of deceit and corruption has been unearthed, revealing a shocking scheme of benefits fraud perpetrated by a Dominican national. Jesus Matos Perez, 52, has pleaded guilty to a years-long scam where he used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and unemployment benefits, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.
According to court documents, for approximately ten years, Matos Perez used the stolen identities of two American citizens, including dates of birth and social security numbers to obtain $75,000 in combined Medicaid SNAP, and unemployment benefits. The investigation, led by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Homeland Security Investigations, has shed light on the extent of Matos Perez’s deceit.
The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan, who has promised to hold Matos Perez accountable for his actions. Matos Perez was taken into custody on October 1, 2025, bringing an end to his reign of benefits fraud.
When asked about the significance of this case, officials said that Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative, aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Matos Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2026. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district court judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Perez’s guilty plea to illegal entry, false representation of a Social Security number, health care fraud, and wire fraud marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to bring an end to these types of scams.
The combined efforts of the investigators and prosecutors have brought this case to a successful conclusion, and it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting our communities from those who seek to exploit our systems for their own gain.
Related Federal Cases
- Diomedes Ramirez Rodriguez, Medicaid and SNAP Benefits Fraud, Rhode Island 2020 · Rhode Island
- Giomar Lopez Meireles, SNAP Benefits Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · Alabama
- Ambulai R. Sheku, Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, Rhode Island 2009 · Massachusetts
- George L. Wilson, Passport Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · Connecticut
- Belkis M. Guzman, Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Funds, Aggravated Identity Theft, Rhode Island 2024 · Puerto Rico
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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