News Summary
Reynaldo Martinez of Pawtucket has been sentenced to 73 months in prison for defrauding the SNAP program and the U.S. Treasury, amassing over $100,000 through fraudulent means. He obtained multiple SNAP EBT cards using stolen identities and manipulated check documents for personal gains. Martinez’s extensive criminal history highlights significant impacts on essential assistance programs and the ongoing battle against fraud.
Pawtucket
Reynaldo Martinez, a 32-year-old man from Pawtucket, has been sentenced to 73 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the U.S. Treasury of over $100,000. Martinez’s criminal activities included obtaining numerous SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards using stolen identities and fraudulent Social Security numbers.
In total, Martinez managed to acquire at least 40 SNAP EBT cards through illicit means. His approach involved filing SNAP benefit applications at various Rhode Island Department of Human Services locations. He did this using fraudulent driver’s licenses that featured his own photograph along with different names.
Martinez received a significant amount of money through fraudulent SNAP benefits, totaling $33,192.36. Additionally, he was found to have cashed altered U.S. Treasury checks made payable to himself and other individuals, amounting to $79,532.32 acquired through his scheme. The checks were manipulated by Martinez and his co-conspirators, who assisted in altering checks to reflect identities from the fraudulent documentation he had obtained.
On April 2, 2025, Martinez pled guilty to multiple charges including two counts of conspiracy, one count of misuse of a Social Security number, and one count of aggravated identity theft. His sentencing was confirmed for July 8, 2025.
Criminal History
Martinez has an extensive criminal background, with multiple fraud convictions across various states dating back to 2012. Notably, he served 48 months in prison for fraud and identity theft in 2017, underscoring a consistent pattern of criminal behavior.
The Impact of SNAP Fraud
SNAP is a vital program providing assistance to low-income individuals and families in accessing food. Fraudulent actions like those committed by Martinez not only undermine the integrity of the program but also deprive legitimate beneficiaries of essential resources. The U.S. Treasury also incurs significant losses due to such fraudulent activities, which divert funds from intended programs and services.
Legal Consequences
Martinez’s case illustrates the serious legal repercussions of engaging in fraud. With the combination of prison time and a lengthy supervised release period, offenders face substantial penalties that reflect the gravity of their crimes. His upcoming sentencing will further determine the extent of his accountability for these offenses.
The case against Martinez highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat fraud and protect essential public assistance programs from exploitation. Authorities continue to investigate and pursue individuals involved in similar schemes to maintain the integrity of these social support systems.
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Additional Resources
- ABC6 News
- Boston Globe
- Turn to 10
- Providence Journal
- WHDH News
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Google Search: Sociology of Fraud
- Google Scholar: Fraud Prevention
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Google News: SNAP Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
