A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Salem, N.H., was sentenced earlier this week in federal court in Boston for passport and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud.
Juan Felipe Chalas, 58, was sentenced by Judge Leo T. Sorokin to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
Chalas was also ordered to pay restitution of $304,932.
The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. Chalas was arrested in March 2026 and in May 2026, pleaded guilty to passport fraud and illegal acquisition of SNAP benefits.
For over two decades, Chalas used the name, birthdate, and Social Security number of a United States citizen to apply for and receive Massachusetts driver’s licenses, U.S. passports, and over $25,000 in Social Security disability benefits, more than $12,000 in SNAP benefits, and over $266,000 in MassHealth benefits.
SNAP is a federal program administered by the states that provides funds for low-income individuals and families to purchase food. MassHealth is a federal and state program that provides medical benefits to low-income individuals.
🚨NEW: An illegal alien from the Dominican Republic was sentenced today for PASSPORT and $300K+ in BENEFIT fraud.
— Matthew Tragesser (@MatthewTrag) September 9, 2026
For over two decades, the individual used the name, birthdate, and Social Security number of a United States citizen to apply for and receive Massachusetts driver’s…
SNAP helps feed about 40 million people nationwide but U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has said that the program is stuffed with fraud.
🚨 TUESDAY TAKEDOWN 🚨
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) September 8, 2026
Nine individuals charged. Nearly $1 MILLION in alleged benefit fraud.
Among them: Mercedes Soto Capellan, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Massachusetts, who allegedly used a stolen identity to obtain approximately $65,521 in SNAP and… pic.twitter.com/1DMK5nzIHq
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley: Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture — Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Nathan Hebert, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
