Valarie Nicole Gonzalez

On March 19, 2025, Valarie Nicole Gonzalez [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter “Defendant,” filed an application for SNAP benefits. Defendant reported that she had no income, that she resided at [ADDRESS REDACTED] W, Apartment 112, Burnsville, MN 55337, which is within Dakota County. She subsequently reported that her church, the South Metro Vineyard Church had paid her rent in the amount of $495.00 and provided an email that purported to be from South Metro Vineyard Church, verifying that the church had done so.

Defendant provided what purported to be a donation receipt, a well as a letter from South Metro Vineyard Church that a money order was made out, by the church to Defendant’s landlord Meridian Pointe Apartments to pay her April rent. Defendant also provided a phone number for an individual named “Charles McDaniel” at [PHONE REDACTED], who she represented worked at South Metro Vineyard Church. Defendant’s financial worker called “Charles McDaniel,” who verified that South Metro Vineyard Church had in fact paid Defendant’s rent in April and in prior months.

Defendant was approved for SNAP benefits on April 8, 2025. Defendant received $2,368.00 in SNAP benefits between April 8, 2025, and July 31, 2025, when her SNAP benefits were closed. It was subsequently determined that Defendant and her minor child [NAME REDACTED] on Food Support with the State of Texas from February 7, 2025, to July 31, 2025. Defendant was also open on Medical Assistance in Texas from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Defendant reported to the State of Texas that she was living at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Sherman TX, during this period.

Law enforcement ran Defendant’s work number and determined that she was employed with Shaan Lodging LLC, which is located in Denison, Texas from April 14, 2025, to July 4, 2025. She received her first paycheck from Shaan on April 25, 2025. Defendant did not report this income. Law enforcement contacted Meridian Point Apartments to verify Defendant’s residence and spoke to the business’ manager. He indicated that there was no record of Defendant residing at Meridian Pointe Apartments. Law enforcement also contacted South Metro Vineyard Church to verify that they had paid Defendant’s rent.

An officer was able to speak with a staff member at the church who confirmed that the 2 19HA-CR-26-361 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 3/12/2026 donation receipt Defendant had provided was fake. The donation receipt contained an email address purported to belong to South Metro Vineyard Church. The church staff member confirmed that this email address was incorrect. The staff member also confirmed that Charles McDaniel is not a staff member with South Metro Vineyard Church. The phone number provided for Charles McDaniel [PHONE REDACTED] was found to be registered to G. A., and adult woman fully identified in police reports, who is Defendant’s mother.

Defendant is currently on probation with both Dakota and Rice County. Defendant told probation in both counties that her address was [ADDRESS REDACTED], Sherman, Texas. This is also her address in Minnesota Government Access (MGA). An officer made contact with A. G., an adult woman fully identified in police reports, who is Defendant’s daughter. A. G. Informed the officer that she resides at [ADDRESS REDACTED] with her boyfriend, but that Defendant has never lived there and resides in Texas.