Massachusetts Man Charged with Aggravated Identity Theft and Stealing Government Benefits
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:
BOSTON – A Lynn man was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with theft of government benefits and aggravated identity theft.
John Doe, whose true identify is unknown, was indicted on two counts of theft of public money, one count of false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to the charging document, Doe made a false statement in an application for Social Security benefits in July 2019. In addition, Doe is charged with stealing over $16,000 in MassHealth benefits from October 2008 through July 2016, and over $12,000 in Food Stamps from September 2009 through July 2016.
The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 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 making false statements in an application for Social Security benefits provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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; Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. 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 Lynn man was arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston with theft of government benefits and aggravated identity theft.
John Doe, whose true identify is unknown, was indicted on two counts of theft of public money, one count of false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to the charging document, Doe made a false statement in an application for Social Security benefits in July 2019. In addition, Doe is charged with stealing over $16,000 in MassHealth benefits from October 2008 through July 2016, and over $12,000 in Food Stamps from September 2009 through July 2016.
The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 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 making false statements in an application for Social Security benefits provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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; Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. 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.