A former Suffolk County employee was arrested on charges of grand larceny after allegedly opening fraudulent SNAP cases.

During his employment at the Suffolk County Department of Social Services, Kevin Eduardo Hernandez Meza, 23, of Port Jefferson Station, is accused of issuing unauthorized benefits for which no applications were submitted.

According to the Suffolk District Attorney’s office, Hernandez Meza was working as a Social Services Examiner, between Sept. 9, 2025, and Sept. 5, 2026, and was responsible for reviewing cases and deciding if existing recipients remain eligible.

An internal audit revealed he opened seven SNAP cases for people who didn’t apply for benefits or request public assistance.

Hernandez Meda then allegedly issued ongoing monthly payments to those individuals, as well as additional unauthorized payments, in excess of $78,000.

“This defendant was entrusted with protecting the integrity of our public assistance system,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Instead, he allegedly abused that trust by creating fraudulent SNAP cases and directing tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized benefits.”

Hernandez Meza was arrested by Detectives from the DA’s office on Tuesday and arraigned at Riverhead Town Justice Court on Wednesday.

His charge of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, is not bail eligible. He is due back in court on Oct. 20 and faces 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted.