20 Alleged Food Stamp And Welfare Cheats Charged: State Police

COVENTRY, RI — Twenty people have been charged with fraud for taking food stamps and other public assistance benefits they weren't entitled to receive. State Police said the total value of the alleged fraud came to $14,000.

Investigators from the Rhode Island Department of Administration's Office of Internal Audit – Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit were part of the investigation into the unauthorized spending of EBT funds. The investigation began after an analysis of data from the state Department of Administration, which identified a violation of the Rhode Island Public Assistance Act.

The following were charged:

• Samantha M. Davenport, 31, of West Warwick was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Andrea M. Correia, 35, of Coventry, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Sherri L. Cameron, 44, of Warwick, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Jennifer L. Hopkins, 29, of Warwick was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Under $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500

• Brian W. O’Donnell, 54, of Warwick, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Stephanie D. Morse, 42, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500; Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500; and Conspiracy;

• Jeffrey L. Douglas, 48, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500; Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500; and Conspiracy;

• Hillary J. McKechnie, 33, of Central Falls, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Robin E. Eckstein, 55, of West Warwick, was charged with Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500; Soliciting Another to Commit a Crime (Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance) and Conspiracy;

• Kerri A. Morris, 49, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Ambar Sanchez, 32, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Under $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500;

• Albert H. Jacques, 60, of Coventry, was charged with Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500 and Conspiracy;

• Mirna N. Ferla, 51, of Warwick, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• James C. Douglas, 49, of Pawtucket, was charged with Soliciting Another to Commit a Crime (Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance); and Parole Board Warrant – Violation of Parole;

• Tammi Lynn Gundy, 49, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Maribel Santiago, 59, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500 and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500;

• Hector Santiago, 59, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Over $500; Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Over $500; and Conspiracy;

• Eric A. Delrosario, 32, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500; and Conspiracy;

• Dorothy T. Pona, 34, of Cranston, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Food Stamps – Under $500; and Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500;

• Robert A. Ciaramello, 48, of Providence, was charged with Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance – Under $500; and Conspiracy.