Antonio J. Toves and Christina J. Toves have been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of SNAP fraud, drug offenses, and illegal firearms possession. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, following their court appearance on April 23, 2025.
Antonio Toves, 48, from Chalan Pago, Guam, received a sentence of 12 months and one day for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and unauthorized dealings with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Additionally, he was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, alongside a firearm possession charge in furtherance of drug trafficking. These sentences will run consecutively. The court also imposed four years of supervised release, $40,869 in restitution, and a $400 special assessment fee. As part of the judgment, several firearms and a Lexus vehicle were forfeited, and he is barred from future SNAP participation.
Christina Toves, 47, also from Chalan Pago, Guam, was sentenced to 12 months and one day for similar charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and illegal use of SNAP benefits. She was also penalized for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Her sentence includes three years of supervised release, $40,869 in restitution, and a $300 special assessment fee. Like her husband, she was ordered to forfeit firearms, ammunition, and a Lexus vehicle.
From September 2015 to September 2020, the couple falsely obtained SNAP benefits by misrepresenting their household size and income to the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). Notably, they concealed the fact that Christina Toves was employed as a social worker with the Guam Department of Corrections. This fraudulent activity resulted in the receipt of $40,846 in benefits.
Following his arrest, Antonio Toves was found with over five grams of methamphetamine, several handguns, an AR-15 rifle, and more than 800 rounds of ammunition. Christina Toves was found with a concealed handgun.
United States Attorney Anderson emphasized, "Citizens with low income rely on SNAP benefits to meet their nutritional needs. Unfortunately, some people seek to obtain these benefits through fraud and other abuse of the program. Taxpayers deserve justice for this criminal conduct. We will continue to pursue these prosecutions to ensure that federal funds are appropriately used. As this case demonstrates, those who engage in this type of fraud, in addition to drug trafficking, risk significant federal penalties."
Jonathan Blais, ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge, remarked, "Fraud, drugs and firearms are a dangerous mixture for failure. The Tove’s actions not only cost them prison time and restitution, but also cost the taxpayers of Guam because of their fraudulent claim and receipt of SNAP benefits. This sentence is well deserved and should serve as a warning against anyone that illegal actions will be investigated and prosecuted."
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Guam DPHSS Investigation & Recovery Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin K. Petersburg led the prosecution.
