Two Haitian immigrants charged in $7 million SNAP fraud scheme | World News

Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have charged two Haitian immigrants in connection with what they describe as a large-scale scheme to traffic millions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through two small retail stores in Boston. The charges were announced in a federal indictment unsealed in mid-December 2025.According to the indictment, Antonio Bonheur, a naturalised US citizen originally from Haiti, and Saul Alisme, a lawful permanent resident, are accused of abusing SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, by exchanging benefits for cash rather than eligible food items. Prosecutors allege the activity took place over roughly 20 months and involved nearly $7 million in SNAP benefits.The case centres on two businesses, Jesula Variety Store and Saul Maché Mixé Store, which were co-located within a single storefront in Boston’s Mattapan neighbourhood. Federal prosecutors say the stores were extremely small, measuring about 150 square feet and 500 square feet respectively, and carried very limited food inventory. Despite this, the indictment claims the stores redeemed between $100,000 and $500,000 in SNAP benefits per month, far exceeding what comparable full-service supermarkets in the area typically process.Investigators allege that undercover agents observed repeated instances in which customers swiped SNAP cards and received cash instead of groceries, with the store operators retaining a portion of the benefits. Prosecutors further claim that the stores sold SNAP-ineligible items, including alcohol, and at times resold donated food products that were not intended for retail sale. The indictment also alleges that proceeds from the scheme were moved through multiple bank accounts to conceal their source.Both men are charged with one count of food stamp fraud. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The defendants have not entered pleas, and all allegations outlined in the indictment remain unproven at this stage.Officials said the case highlights vulnerabilities in SNAP retailer oversight rather than fraud by benefit recipients themselves. Authorities stressed that the charges relate to the alleged actions of two individuals and do not indicate broader patterns of wrongdoing within immigrant or Haitian communities.