Dominican National Charged with Identity Theft, Government Theft

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:

BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with making false statements, stealing public money, and aggravated identity theft.  

Daniel Polonia Morillo, 57, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, was indicted on one count of false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, one count of false statement in an application and use of a passport, two counts of theft of public money, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Polonia Morillo was arrested and charged by criminal complaint during an October 2018 federal law enforcement sweep in and around the City of Lawrence.

According to the charging documents, Polonia Morillo used the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of another individual to apply for Social Security benefits in December 2016. At the time he applied, Polonia Morillo produced a United States passport in the other person’s name as proof of his identity. In addition, Polonia Morillo is charged with stealing over $40,000 in Medicaid benefits from March 2012 through October 2018, and over $4,000 in Food Stamps from April 2015 through October 2018. 

Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two-years in prison that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of theft of public money provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of false statement for Social Security benefits provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of false statement in an application of a passport provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $25,000. Polonia Morillo will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with making false statements, stealing public money, and aggravated identity theft.  

Daniel Polonia Morillo, 57, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, was indicted on one count of false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, one count of false statement in an application and use of a passport, two counts of theft of public money, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Polonia Morillo was arrested and charged by criminal complaint during an October 2018 federal law enforcement sweep in and around the City of Lawrence.

According to the charging documents, Polonia Morillo used the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of another individual to apply for Social Security benefits in December 2016. At the time he applied, Polonia Morillo produced a United States passport in the other person’s name as proof of his identity. In addition, Polonia Morillo is charged with stealing over $40,000 in Medicaid benefits from March 2012 through October 2018, and over $4,000 in Food Stamps from April 2015 through October 2018. 

Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two-years in prison that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of theft of public money provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of false statement for Social Security benefits provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of false statement in an application of a passport provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $25,000. Polonia Morillo will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.