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.

The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.

The matter was investigated 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

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.