Woman charged with welfare fraud

Two illegal aliens also charged after Albion raid

Cruz (left) and Carrillo-Ramos (right)

Press release, Major Felony Crime Task Force

ALBION – An Albion woman was charged with welfare fraud and grand larceny on Wednesday following a two-month investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, Department of Social Services Welfare Fraud Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mary A. Cruz, 32, of 14870 East Lee Rd. allegedly received $46,934 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to for a day care from April 2010 to March 31, 2013, the task force reported.

She was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Judge Kevin Howard and committed to the county jail with bail set at $10,000 cash or $10,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Town Court at 9 a.m. on June 19.

The investigation also revealed that an alleged undocumented resident was living in the house. Rochel Carrillo-Ramos, 24, was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. He was arraigned by Judge Howard and committed to jail with bail set at $5,000. He is also being held on a federal detainer for allegedly re-entering the country illegally after being deported.

As a result of the search warrant execution, the task force reported another man was hiding in a closet who was determined to be in the country without legal documents. Marvin Ramirez-Tomas, 22, was transported to the federal detention center in Batavia, where he is held on a federal retainer.

Police seized more than $1,600 in cash and numerous fraudulent documents during the raid, the task force reported. The investigation is ongoing and more charges and arrests are pending, the task force reported.