Man defrauds SNAP, Medicaid of almost $70G

CONCORD - A Manchester man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to defrauding Medicaid and the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of more than $68,000, which were benefits he was not entitled to.

Joel Gonzalez, a/k/a Joel Gonzalez De La Cruz, a/k/a Joel Cruz, a/k/a Joel King, 40, pleaded guilty to making False Statements. Gonzalez, who is currently in custody for unrelated charges, used a stolen identity, including name, date of birth, and Social Security Number of a U.S. citizen for approximately two decades.

On June 21, 2019, Gonzalez applied for Medicaid benefits using the stolen identity. On July 26, 2019, he applied for SNAP benefits using the stolen identity. Between July 2019 and November 2023, Gonzalez filled out additional applications for Medicaid and SNAP benefits using the stolen identity. All of the applications were made under penalty of perjury. Gonzalez fraudulently received $68,580.65 in benefits he was not entitled to.

Gonzalez also maintained a Facebook account under the alias "Joel King." Under his Facebook account, he posted a photo of an "Employee of the Month" certificate identifying himself using the stolen identity and he used the stolen identity to obtain the employment.

The charge of False Statements provides for a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 18.