Two Boston Store Owners Charged in a $7 Million SNAP Benefits ‘Trafficking’ Case
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Two convenience store owners in Boston are facing federal charges after investigators allege they orchestrated a years-long scheme to illegally exchange Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for cash, a practice known as “benefits trafficking,” resulting in more than $7 million in fraudulent redemptions. Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have charged Antonio Bonheur, the owner of Jesula Variety Store, and Saul Alisme, who operates Saul Mache Mixe Store, with food stamp fraud tied to separate undercover transactions that allegedly occurred in October 2025. The two small shops, located in the same building on Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan, were at the centre of the illegal operations.
Investigators began scrutinizing the stores after noticing unusually high SNAP redemption totals that did not align with the stores’ size, inventory or equipment. Despite their limitations – Jesula Variety Store has no shopping carts, baskets, optical scanners or refrigeration – Bonheur’s store redeemed more than $6.9 million in SNAP benefits between 2021 and 2025, with transactions significantly exceeding the average for similarly classified grocery stores in the area. Alisme’s store, although smaller in scale, also allegedly trafficked more than $121,000 in SNAP benefits within a few months of accepting the programme.
The case relied heavily on a series of undercover operations conducted by federal agents, during which SNAP benefits were exchanged for cash at both stores, often in conjunction with the purchase of prohibited items such as alcohol. Surveillance footage further supported the investigation, showing customers leaving the stores with minimal or no groceries after purportedly spending hundreds of dollars in SNAP transactions. Bonheur was also accused of applying for SNAP benefits himself in 2022, failing to disclose his ownership of Jesula Variety Store and redeeming those benefits primarily at his own business.
Both men are currently charged with a single count of food stamp fraud involving transactions over $100 but under $5,000. However, investigators suggest that the charged offences are just a fraction of the alleged misconduct outlined in the affidavit. The USDA Office of Inspector General and the FBI conducted a joint investigation into the matter, which is pending in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. As of now, neither Bonheur nor Alisme has entered a plea, and their respective attorneys have not been identified.
Cases of SNAP benefit trafficking undermine the integrity of the programme and harm those who rely on it for essential nutrition assistance. The legal proceedings against these store owners serve as a warning to others engaging in similar fraudulent activities and highlight the importance of rigorous monitoring and enforcement to protect the integrity of public assistance programmes. The collaborative efforts of federal agencies in uncovering and prosecuting such cases demonstrate a commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that resources are used appropriately to support those in need. The implications of this case extend beyond the financial losses incurred, illustrating the broader impacts of benefit fraud on communities and the necessity of holding accountable those who exploit public assistance for personal gain.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent oversight and proactive measures to detect and prevent benefit trafficking, safeguarding the resources intended to support vulnerable individuals and families. By holding individuals and businesses accountable for fraudulent practices, authorities can uphold the integrity of public assistance programmes and ensure that those in need receive the vital support they are entitled to. The legal process will continue to unfold as the case progresses through the court system, shedding light on the consequences of benefit fraud and the collaborative efforts required to combat such illicit activities.