Anaheim Couple, Son Plead Guilty to Food Stamp Fraud
An Anaheim couple and their 25-year-old son have pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud in what authorities called one of the largest such cases in Southern California history, an assistant U.S. attorney said Thursday.
David and Juana Rodriguez, 52 and 44, and their son Eduardo, 25, who operated David’s Produce in Los Angeles, entered their guilty pleas Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Atty. Steven M. Arkow said.
They were indicted Feb. 23 with the owners from a South Gate produce store, Arkow said.
According to the indictment, confidential informants and federal investigators working undercover sold food stamps in quantities ranging from $60 to $80,000 at a time to the grocery store owners for cash.
South Gate residents Evaristo Pereira, 56, and his wife, Maria Elena, 34, owners of Pereira Produce, entered guilty pleas Monday, Arkow said.
The Rodriguez couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy, illegal trafficking in food stamps, and structuring currency transactions of a bank to evade reporting requirements. Eduardo Rodriguez pleaded guilty to possession of $15,000 worth of illegally obtained food stamps and currency charges.
The maximum penalty for each offense is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing for the Rodriguezes is set for June 3 in Los Angeles before U.S. District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer.
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