By
- Chris Pugh, cleveland.com
The owner of a Santa Ana produce truck has been charged with illegally trafficking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits after federal investigators alleged the business processed unusually high volumes of food assistance transactions that far exceeded those of nearby competitors, according to the U.S. Department of Justice
Federal prosecutors said 48-year-old Esmeralda Soriano, who operates Soriano Produce, faces two counts related to the alleged exchange of SNAP benefits for cash. Investigators contend the food truck generated SNAP redemption figures that outpaced many nearby grocery stores despite recording significantly fewer individual transactions, MyNews La reported
According to court documents, Soriano Produce became an authorized SNAP retailer in 2023 and operated with a single point-of-sale device. Authorities said the business drew scrutiny because of a pattern of unusually large purchases and rapid consecutive transactions that investigators described as potential indicators of fraud, California Post said
Law enforcement officials compared the truck’s activity with similar SNAP-authorized produce vendors in the region and found that between April 2025 and April 2026, the business recorded more than $640,000 in SNAP redemptions. Prosecutors said that total was more than six times higher than the nearest comparable competitor in the area
Investigators also alleged the food truck processed transactions averaging about $151, well above the amounts recorded by neighboring produce vendors. Authorities said they identified several SNAP purchases exceeding $1,000, a figure that greatly surpassed the statewide average transaction amount for businesses selling fruits and vegetables
The indictment alleges Soriano exchanged cash for SNAP benefits during undercover operations conducted earlier this year. Prosecutors said agents documented transactions in which SNAP funds were redeemed and portions of the value were allegedly returned in cash, a practice prohibited under federal law
Homeland Security Investigations participated in the investigation. Officials said a combination of transaction patterns, high redemption totals and other business records contributed to their decision to pursue criminal charges
Soriano is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 13 in federal court in Los Angeles. She has been released on bond while the case proceeds. Prosecutors said each count carries a potential prison sentence if she is convicted. As with all criminal defendants, Soriano is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court
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This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by MLive.com staff
