ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands — Prosecutors say an alleged Medicaid and SNAP fraud scheme cost the territory more than $309,000, after 11 people were charged following a coordinated sweep across St. Croix on Wednesday.
The Virgin Islands Department of Justice confirmed that the arrests followed a 20-month investigation conducted by the DOJ’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Authorities allege that Department of Human Services employees abused their access to government computer systems to unlawfully manipulate Medicaid and SNAP eligibility, allowing benefits to be issued improperly.
Those charged include multiple DHS employees and community members, according to the DOJ. The defendants were identified as:
Doenyka Lewis, Medicaid Assistance Program employee
Shanoya Hendrickson, MAP employee, and her mother Karen Blyden
Clarissa L. Nunez, SNAP employee, and her mother Carmen Nunez
Shantenysha Victor, MAP employee
Kenera Sheneal Frederick, MAP employee, and her mother Sharon Olivia
Henry Lisaminelli Montanez, SNAP employee, and his partner Shane Gaston
Authorities said Akim Noel Davis, the husband of Shantenysha Victor, has not yet been apprehended. A wanted bulletin has been issued for his arrest.
According to prosecutors, the defendants face a range of charges including Medicaid fraud, fraudulent claims against the government, accessing a computer for fraudulent purposes, embezzlement, and falsification of public records.
The arrests were carried out simultaneously at DHS offices in Estate Hannah’s Rest and at multiple private residences across the island, a tactic commonly used in multi-defendant cases to prevent coordination or destruction of evidence.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the case was handled entirely by the Virgin Islands Department of Justice and not federal authorities. The DOJ’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, first certified in 2018, has been recertified annually, allowing the territory to independently investigate and prosecute Medicaid fraud.
Bryan described the alleged scheme as “deeply troubling,” emphasizing that Medicaid exists to serve the territory’s most vulnerable residents.
“Any effort to exploit it is an attack on the public trust and a theft from the people of the Virgin Islands,” Bryan said, adding that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption or misuse of public programs.
The Department of Human Services confirmed the investigation began after an internal tip was reported to its Program Integrity Team and referred to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. DHS said it is cooperating fully with investigators and has begun strengthening internal oversight and safeguards.
As of Wednesday afternoon, at least four defendants had been processed and booked, with additional court proceedings expected as remaining arrestees are processed. The DOJ said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.
