Jose Valles Villamizar, 29, of Tavares, pleaded guilty on Jul. 28 to theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft in Ocala, Florida. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for the theft offense and a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea agreement, Villamizar has agreed to forfeit $73,655.27 that is traceable as proceeds from his criminal conduct. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Villamizar fraudulently used $73,655.27 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by personally using the benefits and aiding others in their fraudulent use. SNAP is a United States Department of Agriculture program designed to help low-income individuals and families purchase food items through monthly benefits issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.
Between September 2023 and February 2025, authorities reported that 650 SNAP applications were submitted under various names with addresses linked to Villamizar. Once approved, the SNAP benefits were issued under those names. Surveillance footage obtained by the USDA showed Villamizar using EBT cards issued in other individuals’ names.
The Department of Justice announced on April 7 the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division), which focuses on investigating and prosecuting fraud against federal benefit programs as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the Florida Division of Public Assistance Fraud. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is prosecuting.