BOSTON – In a swift move to crack down on identity theft, a Mexican national has been sentenced for his role in a high-profile passport fraud case. Patricia Cedeno-Larios, 52, residing in Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to time served and immediately taken into administrative custody by Homeland Security Investigation agents pending deportation.
Cedeno-Larios pleaded guilty in December 2018 to making false statements in a passport application. In March 2008, the defendant entered a Boston post office, assuming the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, and applied for a United States passport using the victim’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
The case has been a collaborative effort among federal agencies, with United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, leading the charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien prosecuted the case on behalf of Lelling’s Criminal Division.
Cedeno-Larios’s sentence comes as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who commit passport fraud. The defendant now faces the prospect of returning to Mexico, his original country of residence, after years spent living under a false identity.
“The successful resolution of this case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” said Lelling. “Criminals who attempt to exploit it will be held accountable.”
For those looking to stay updated on federal crime news, such cases serve as a prime example of the efforts being made to combat identity theft and ensure justice is served.
Related Federal Cases
- Lydia Torres Sentenced in $393K Identity Theft Tax Fraud · Massachusetts
- Dominican National Jhonny Pimentel Aybar Sentenced in Boston Fraud · Massachusetts
- Santo Jesus Gonzalez Villar Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud · Massachusetts
- Stoughton Drug Kingpin Gets Over 11 Years for Cocaine Smuggling and Relief Fraud · Massachusetts
- Methuen Man Gets 27 Months for Identity Theft Scheme · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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