Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry, Misuse of Social Security Number, and Benefits Fraud

PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national illegally residing in the United States has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for engaging in a years-long scheme in which he used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and unemployment benefits, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. Jesus Matos Perez, 52, pleaded guilty today to illegal entry, false representation of a Social Security number, health care fraud, and wire fraud. He 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. 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. Matos Perez was taken into custody on October 1, 2025.

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