A Chicago resident has been sentenced to over four years in federal prison after confessing to running a fraudulent scheme that secured him more than $1.5 million in federal food stamp benefits. These funds were used to buy soda, which he then sold for profit.
David Quinones, 45, admitted to wire fraud charges and received a 52-month prison sentence from U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger. Quinones was also instructed to repay $1,554,804 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Prosecutors indicated that from 2018 to 2023, Quinones paid cash to individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps, to gain access to their Link cards and PINs. Using these cards, he purchased large quantities of sodas, water, and snacks, which he then resold to convenience stores and restaurants.
Court documents highlight one of the initial transactions: on November 14, 2018, federal investigators observed Quinones purchasing about 20 cases of Pepsi using three Link cards at a store. He later visited another store the same day, buying approximately another 20 cases of Pepsi for $211.32, once again using three cards. Officials reported that he sold the sodas to a Chicago gas station afterward.
The investigation intensified in early 2020 when a retailer tipped off law enforcement about Quinones purchasing 53 cases of Pepsi at an Evergreen Park store with two Link cards. An undercover officer was deployed and offered Quinones a card with a $350 balance for $100, which he accepted.
Inside the store, prosecutors recounted that Quinones instructed the undercover officer to load Pepsi onto a cart and meet him at the register. Surveillance footage showed Quinones signaling the officer to swipe the card and enter the PIN. He used the card to purchase about 29 more cases of Pepsi for $303.92. Investigators then followed him as he transported the soda to a gas station.
Two days later, surveillance was again set up at the Evergreen Park store. Investigators observed Quinones buying 139 cases of soda with three Link cards. The undercover officer approached him once more, this time offering two cards with a combined value of $616 for $300 cash, which Quinones accepted. The following day, he purchased additional soda with a card holding a $330 balance and paid the officer $440 for the three cards used over two days.
Quinones is accused of using over 1,200 unique cards to execute more than 5,000 fraudulent transactions.
Court records reveal that investigators first took notice of Quinones after a retailer reported unusual purchasing patterns. By July 2019, he was reportedly leading the nation in the use of unique food stamp cards at that retailer’s stores.
According to a government sentencing memo, law enforcement officers confronted Quinones in September 2022, informing him that his actions were illegal and instructing him to cease. However, prosecutors allege he continued with the fraudulent purchases until July 2023.
