Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have unveiled charges against two Haitian immigrants, accusing them of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme targeting the US government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The indictment, unsealed in mid-December 2025, details an alleged large-scale operation to illegally traffic food stamp benefits through two small retail stores in Boston.
The Defendants and the Alleged Scheme
The individuals named in the federal indictment are Antonio Bonheur, a naturalised US citizen originally from Haiti, and Saul Alisme, a lawful permanent resident. Prosecutors allege that over a period of approximately 20 months, the two men abused the SNAP program—commonly known as food stamps—by exchanging benefits for cash instead of eligible food items. The total value of SNAP benefits involved in the alleged scheme is close to $7 million.
Operation from Tiny Boston Storefronts
The case centres on two businesses, Jesula Variety Store and Saul Maché Mixé Store, which operated from a single storefront in Boston's Mattapan neighbourhood. Investigators noted the stores were exceptionally small, with areas of about 150 square feet and 500 square feet respectively, and carried very limited food inventory.
Despite their modest size and stock, the indictment claims these stores processed between $100,000 and $500,000 in SNAP benefits every month. This volume far exceeded the typical SNAP redemptions of comparable full-service supermarkets in the area, raising red flags for authorities.
How the Fraud Was Allegedly Executed
According to the court documents, undercover agents observed the fraud in action. Customers would swipe their SNAP benefit cards at the stores but, instead of receiving groceries, they were given cash. The store operators allegedly retained a significant portion of the benefits as a cut.
Prosecutors further claim the stores sold items ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, including alcohol. In some instances, they are accused of reselling donated food products that were never intended for retail sale. To conceal the illicit proceeds, the indictment alleges that funds were moved through multiple bank accounts.
Legal Consequences and Broader Implications
Both men face one count of food stamp fraud. If convicted, they could each be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. It is important to note that the defendants have not yet entered pleas, and all allegations in the indictment remain unproven in court.
Officials have emphasised that this case primarily exposes vulnerabilities in the oversight of SNAP retailers, not fraud by the benefit recipients themselves. Authorities stressed that the charges relate solely to the alleged actions of two individuals and should not be seen as indicative of any broader wrongdoing within immigrant or Haitian communities.
The unsealing of this indictment in December 2025 marks a significant federal action to combat fraud within a critical public assistance program designed to help low-income families purchase nutritious food.
