Irvington, New Jersey, man Miguel Antonio Azcona, 38, admitted today to stealing $840,583.54 from the U.S. government by illegally converting SNAP benefits into cash through his Newark grocery store, New Community Supermarket. The plea marks the collapse of a two-year scheme that exploited a federal nutrition program meant to feed the hungry.
Azcona, also known as ‘Miguel A. Azcona-Peralta,’ pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper in Trenton federal court. He admitted to orchestrating a fraudulent operation where employees under his supervision exchanged SNAP benefits — commonly known as food stamps — for cash, skimming a cut from each illicit transaction.
New Community Supermarket, located on Springfield Avenue, was authorized to accept SNAP benefits in exchange for eligible food items. But Azcona weaponized that privilege, turning the store into a cash-out hub for beneficiaries seeking to bypass program rules. The fraud ran from August 2014 through August 11, 2016, with Azcona personally benefiting from the store’s business bank account, which collected federal reimbursements for sham transactions.
At his plea hearing, Azcona acknowledged that he understood SNAP regulations prohibited cash exchanges. Despite that, he directed employees to process fraudulent redemptions, effectively laundering taxpayer-funded benefits into untraceable cash. The scheme defrauded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program of exactly $840,583.54 — money meant for groceries, not criminal profit.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or double the gross gain, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for May 3, 2017. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited investigators from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for cracking the case.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Lou of the Criminal Division in Newark. Azcona’s defense is being handled by David R. Oakley, Esq. As the fallout continues, federal authorities warn that SNAP fraud undermines public trust and diverts critical aid from those who need it most.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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