Previously Convicted Providence Felon Charged With SNAP Fraud: Feds

The Providence man raked in about $69,000 worth of ill-gotten SNAP benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

By Joseph Hosey, Patch Staff

May 8, 2026 2:30 pm EDT

PROVIDENCE, RI — A previously convicted felon from Providence was charged with running a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Felipe Almonte Polanco, 57, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud, theft of public money, false representation of a Social Security number and aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.

The charges are "related to an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ... benefits using the identities of deceased and other individuals," the release said.

Investigators with the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity began investigating applications submitted under the identity of a dead person, according to the release.

"The investigation determined that Polanco submitted fraudulent SNAP applications in the names of multiple victims, including a deceased individual, and used the benefits cards to conduct transactions at stores in Rhode Island," the release said.

"Almonte Polanco was previously convicted in the Western District of New York of making false statements in connection with a passport application and aggravated identity theft," according to the release.

Polanco was charged with making balance inquiries on Rhode Island Electronic Benefit Transfer cards associated with the stolen identities of at least 18 individuals and using cards issued in the names of at least nine people for four and a half years, per the release.

"During the execution of a search warrant at Polanco’s residence, investigators recovered multiple EBT cards and materials used to create identification cards," the release said. "The scheme resulted in Polanco receiving approximately $69,000 in fraudulent SNAP benefits."