Suffolk County SNAP Worker Busted in Benefits Scheme

A Suffolk County social services worker entrusted with protecting taxpayer-funded food benefits allegedly turned the system into his own $78,000 fraud operation, prosecutors say.

Kevin Eduardo Hernandez Meza, 23, of Port Jefferson Station, was arrested and charged with second-degree grand larceny after allegedly creating bogus SNAP cases while working as a Social Services Examiner for the Suffolk County Department of Social Services.

According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney, Hernandez Meza allegedly opened seven SNAP cases for people who never applied for benefits or requested public assistance.

Prosecutors say he then issued monthly benefits and additional unauthorized payments totaling $78,904 between September 2025 and September 2026.

“This defendant was entrusted with protecting the integrity of our public assistance system,” Tierney said. “Instead, he allegedly abused that trust by creating fraudulent SNAP cases and directing tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized benefits.”

The alleged scheme began unraveling when one case created by Hernandez Meza was flagged as suspicious, triggering an internal audit.

County Executive Ed Romaine said the allegations should not overshadow legitimate recipients or DSS employees.

“The actions of a few will not undermine aid for those in need or tarnish our dedicated DSS staff,” Romaine said.

Hernandez Meza was arrested Oct. 6 by District Attorney’s Office detectives and arraigned the following day in Riverhead Town Justice Court.

Despite facing a Class C felony carrying a potential sentence of five to 15 years if convicted, Hernandez Meza walked out of court without bail. Prosecutors said the charge is not bail eligible under current New York law, meaning they could not request bail and the judge could not impose it.

He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Oct. 20.

Prosecutors said the investigation into the full extent of the alleged scheme remains ongoing. Hernandez Meza is represented by the Legal Aid Society.