Twenty One Arrested for Welfare Fraud

Last week, criminal investigators from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations served 21 felony arrest warrants for suspects wanted for allegedly committing welfare fraud in Tulare County. 

The following individuals were arrested and either booked into the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility or cited and released:

-Angelica Aceves, 35, of Visalia                              

-Cynthia Hernandez, 22, of Tulare                            

       -Julieanna Aguilera, 27, of Earlimart                   

-Elizabeth Huerta, 45, of Visalia

       -Lynette Barba, 38, of Visalia                                

-Celina Maldonado, 36, of Tulare

       -Jesenia Becera, 39, of Reedley                               

-Karla Mejia, 37, of Visalia

      – Sheila Bell, 34, of Fresno                                       

 -Orlando Orozco, 39, of Porterville          

       -Kay Bland, 34, of Visalia                                         

-Vanessa Saesee, 23, of Visalia

       -Marisella Calvillo, 35, of Dinuba                           

-Lorena Sanchez, 27, of Orosi     

       -Rosa Castaneda, 40, of Visalia                               

-Maria Simental, 37, of Richgrove

       -Patricia Castro, 55, of Visalia                                 

– Yvette Stanley, 60, of Visalia

       -Lupita Espinoza, 34, of Porterville                       

– Primavera Trevino, 38, of Fresno

       -Dianna Estrada, 26, of Visalia                               

– Celina Maldonado, 36, of Tulare

       – Veronica Villalon, 39, of Tulare

The total amount of alleged fraud in all these cases was $191,809.00.

In 2019, the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations identified $725,179 in fraudulent benefits, resulting in felony criminal charges being filed in 79 cases. The fraudulent activity in these cases included activities such as failing to report income, failing to report changes in household composition, and the trafficking of EBT benefits for financial gain. It is a felony for an individual to make a false statement or misrepresentation of material facts in order to obtain over $950 of aid that they were not entitled to receive. 

The District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations will continue to diligently investigate all suspected fraud committed against public assistance programs here in Tulare County. If the public has further information related to suspected fraud, contact our office at (559) 636-5410.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Underwood (559) 636-5494