Border Patrol Agent sentenced for defrauding SNAP, WIC programs

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent and his fiancée were sentenced to probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to stealing more than $25,000 in Arizona food assistance benefits, state officials announced.

Saul Rivas Hau and Hilda Sanchez were ordered by a Yuma County Superior Court judge to serve 36 months of supervised probation and pay $26,424 in restitution.

Both pleaded guilty to class 4 felony theft for actions that occurred while Hau was employed by CBP.

“Programs like SNAP and WIC exist to help Arizona families put food on the table — not to be exploited for personal gain,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a news release. “My office will continue working with our federal and state partners to hold accountable anyone who defrauds these important programs.”

A state grand jury originally indicted the couple on multiple charges, including conspiracy, fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft and forgery.

The indictment alleged Hau and Sanchez conspired to defraud the Arizona Department of Economic Security by unlawfully taking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between March 11, 2022, and Aug. 30, 2025.

They also unlawfully obtained Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits between Feb. 13, 2023, and Jan. 16, 2024. The total loss across both programs exceeded $25,000.

The joint investigation was conducted by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Arizona Department of Economic Security, with assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Assistant Attorney General Mariana B. Sanchez prosecuted the case.

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