Dominican National Charged with Identity Theft and False Statements

BOSTON – A brazen scheme to deceive the government has landed a Dominican national in hot water, federal authorities announced today. Francis Yohan Mateo Guerrero, 29, a Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence, has been charged with making false statements and aggravated identity theft.

According to authorities, Mateo Guerrero applied for a replacement Social Security card in August 2017 by submitting the name of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico. He presented a Massachusetts Driver’s License in the name of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico as his own proof of identity.

“Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for its victims,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who engage in this type of behavior and seek justice for those who have been harmed.”

Mateo Guerrero was previously charged by complaint and arrested on Aug. 22, 2018, and has been in custody since. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for making a materially false statement. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.

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.

Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, added, “We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public and hold those accountable who engage in this type of egregious behavior.”