Alicia Isabel Matias De Jesus, Identity Theft, Massachusetts 2022

BOSTON – A Lawrence woman was sentenced to six months in prison for identity theft charges, using a US citizen’s identity to obtain over $22,000 in benefits.

Alicia Isabel Matias De Jesus, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to six months in prison and two years of supervised release. Marias De Jesus was also ordered to pay forfeiture and restitution of $22,904.

Matias De Jesus, who was born in the Dominican Republic and is not a United States Citizen, purchased identity documents of a United States citizen who resides in Puerto Rico. Matias De Jesus used the identity documents to obtain a motor vehicle license and benefits totaling over $22,000.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

The DBFTF is currently investigating suspected aliens who are believed to have obtained stolen identities of U.S. citizens born in Puerto Rico. The DBFTF has investigated individuals who have used stolen identities to obtain public benefits that they otherwise would not be eligible to receive, including Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles identity documents, Social Security numbers, MassHealth benefits, public housing benefits, and/or unemployment benefits.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tobin of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

Matias De Jesus, 50, was born in the Dominican Republic and is not a United States Citizen. She pleaded guilty to false representation of a Social Security number and theft of government money on March 22, 2022.

The crime occurred in BOSTON, Massachusetts. The sentencing occurred on July 20, 2022. The defendant was ordered to pay $22,904 in restitution and forfeiture.