United States of America v. Esmeralda Soriano, a.k.a. “Esmeralda Aguilar” and “Esmeralda Silva”

Los Angeles, California, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with food stamp fraud in violation of 7 U.S.C. 2024(b).

Reported by Kent Morlan

Esmeralda Soriano, 48, a.k.a. “Esmeralda Aguilar” and “Esmeralda Silva,” of Santa Ana, owned Soriano Produce is a low-volume fruits-and-vegetables mobile food truck operating in Santa Ana and, in March 2023, was authorized as an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)-SNAP retailer. The business has one point-of-sale device that is used to complete EBT-SNAP transactions. Its lack of scanners coupled with consistent high-dollar transactions and rapid back-to-back transactions are indicators of possible fraud.

Law enforcement identified similar SNAP-authorized fruits-and-vegetables businesses between April 2025 and April 2026 that were within a 20-mile radius from Soriano Produce and determined that Soriano’s business was the largest SNAP-authorized redeemer with a total store volume of approximately $640,924, more than six times its nearest competitor, and an average purchase amount of $151.41.

Compared to large grocery stores within a five-mile radius during this same period, Soriano Produce was also the highest redeeming store of SNAP benefits, despite having more than 9,700 fewer transactions than the closest store. Further, Soriano Produce had the highest average transaction amount.

Law enforcement also discovered numerous excessively large EBT-SNAP transactions at Soriano Produce for a store of its type, with a dozen reaching or exceeding $1,000, far surpassing the California average of $17.72 for a fruits-and-vegetables store.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.