Dominican National Sentenced for Misusing Social Security Number and Making False Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for false statement and Social Security fraud charges.

Juan Baez, 57, who previously resided in Roslindale, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Baez was also ordered to pay restitution of $18,997. Baez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On June 10, 2021, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of making a false statement relating to health care matters.

Baez used the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen to obtain Massachusetts driver’s licenses and identification cards. He also used the identity to apply for and receive MassHealth benefits. Between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2019, Baez fraudulently received approximately $18,997 in federally funded MassHealth benefits he was not entitled to by using the victim’s identity.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; John Cremonini, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Philip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.