(WJAR) — Three Rhode Island residents are facing charges in separate cases for fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in public assistance benefits.
Rhode Island State Police brought the charges last week following investigations triggered by complaints from multiple state agencies. Court documents obtained by NBC 10 detail the allegations.
Melissa Acevedo, 46, of Providence, is accused of wrongly receiving over $30,000 in SNAP food assistance for herself and two household members from 2019 to 2024. Authorities claim Acevedo concealed her employment with the Pawtucket School Department for part of that period and failed to report the income of another household member.
Jamie Walton, 38, of Johnston, allegedly obtained more than $56,000 in SNAP benefits for herself and five household members between 2017 and 2023. Investigators state Walton concealed her own employment and failed to report another household member’s income and unemployment benefits.
Joshua Campbell, 42, of North Smithfield, is accused of receiving more than $41,000 in unemployment benefits during four periods between 2020 and 2024 while allegedly being employed by a construction company.
Authorities attempted to contact Acevedo, Walton, and Campbell on Monday. All three are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
