A former Madera County benefits eligibility worker was sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft after using her position to steal CalFresh benefits through a years-long scheme, federal officials said.

Leticia Mariscal, 55, of Madera, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston, according to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.

CalFresh, formerly known as the “food stamp” program, provides qualifying California residents with monetary benefits to help purchase food. The program is funded by the federal government, while administrative costs are shared among federal, state and local governments.

According to court records, between July 2022 and June 2025, Mariscal used county databases she had access to through her job to obtain personal information on individuals who were not U.S. citizens, were elderly, or were deceased. Prosecutors said she then secretly approved those individuals for CalFresh benefits or continued their benefits, printed EBT cards in their names, and used the funds for herself and family members.

In some cases involving non-U.S. citizens, she allegedly contacted individuals and falsely told them they needed to provide immigration records to continue receiving benefits, causing them to stop using the program out of fear of immigration consequences. She then diverted those benefits for personal use, according to court records.

Authorities said Mariscal stole CalFresh funds through the accounts of more than 15 people.

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