Illegal Alien Sentenced for Passport and Benefit Fraud

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Salem, N.H., was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for passport and SNAP 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.

United States 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. Department 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 Department 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.