South Florida Selected as First Pilot Location for National Initiative to Combat Federal Nutrition Assistance Fraud

MIAMI - U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida today joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General John Walk and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to launch the Hunger Assistance Enforcement and Accountability Teams (HEAT) initiative, a coordinated effort to investigate and prosecute fraud involving federal nutrition assistance programs. South Florida will serve as the first pilot location for the national initiative, underscoring the U.S. Attorney's Office's commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded assistance programs and holding accountable those who exploit resources intended for vulnerable Americans.

The HEAT initiative brings together investigative, prosecutorial, and analytical resources across federal, state, and local agencies to identify, disrupt, and dismantle fraud schemes targeting USDA nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Through intelligence-driven investigations and coordinated enforcement efforts, HEAT will target individuals and criminal organizations that divert federal assistance funds from those who need them most.

South Florida was selected as the initiative's first pilot location because of its large and diverse population, extensive retail environment, and international connections, which present opportunities for sophisticated fraud schemes. The U.S. Attorney's Office will work alongside its law enforcement partners to safeguard federal nutrition assistance programs, recover fraudulently obtained funds, and ensure that taxpayer dollars reach the individuals and families these programs are intended to serve.

"Federal nutrition assistance programs are a lifeline for families in need, not a payday for fraudsters and criminal organizations," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "When criminals steal from these programs, they rob vulnerable Americans of critical resources and betray the taxpayers who fund them. South Florida is proud to lead the nation as the first HEAT pilot location. Working shoulder to shoulder with USDA Inspector General Walk and our federal, state, and local partners, we will aggressively investigate these schemes, follow the money, dismantle criminal networks, and prosecute those responsible. Our message is simple: If you exploit programs designed to feed Americans in need, expect to face federal justice."

"Criminal organizations and other sophisticated fraudsters are increasingly targeting USDA nutrition assistance programs, like SNAP and CACFP, through sophisticated fraud schemes such as electronic benefit transfer (EBT) theft, SNAP trafficking, retail fraud, identity theft, and cyber methodologies," Walk said. "We are proud to make this announcement with U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones as we seek to work together on the investigations and ultimate prosecutions of these crimes against the neediest Americans."

The launch included a roundtable with law enforcement leaders to discuss ongoing collaborative strategies. Participating agencies in the inaugural South Florida HEAT meeting included USDA Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Florida, Federal Bureau of Investigation Miami, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, Department of Education Office of Inspector General, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Social Security Office of Inspector General, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution, Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division, Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO), Florida Department of Financial Services, Florida Department of Children and Families, and Defense Criminal Investigative Services.

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