A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent and his fiancée have been sentenced to three years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to felony theft involving federal food assistance programs.
A Yuma County Superior Court judge sentenced Saul Rivas Hau and Hilda Sanchez on Wednesday.
The two were also ordered to pay more than $26,000 in restitution.
According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the pair unlawfully obtained Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits between 2022 and 2025. They also obtained Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, benefits in 2023 and early 2024.
The state says the programs lost more than $25,000.
Hau was employed by Customs and Border Protection when the alleged theft occurred.
A state grand jury had indicted Hau and Sanchez on several charges, including conspiracy, fraudulent schemes, theft and forgery. They ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of class-four felony theft each.
The investigation involved federal and state agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes says SNAP and WIC are intended to help families afford food and should not be exploited for personal gain.