Dundalk Man Sentenced to Over Two Years for Identity Theft Ring

BALTIMORE, MD – Orvil Perez-Jimenez, 34, of Dundalk, Maryland, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to two years and four months, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander, stems from charges of aggravated identity theft, the sale of stolen citizenship documents, and the production of counterfeit driver’s licenses. The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Maddox, highlights a brazen scheme to profit from the stolen lives of U.S. citizens.

According to court documents, Perez-Jimenez operated a disturbing business from 2017 to March 2020, systematically obtaining birth certificates and social security cards belonging to unsuspecting Americans. He didn’t just steal the documents; he actively sold them to individuals unlawfully residing in the United States. The scheme went beyond mere document theft. Perez-Jimenez crafted entirely fraudulent identification cards, slapping photos of his clients onto documents bearing the stolen personal information of innocent victims.

The scope of the fraud became clear with the case of a Maryland couple without legal status, identified only as Individual 1 and Individual 2. In 2017, they paid Perez-Jimenez $5,000 for a complete identity package: birth certificates, social security cards, and fake Puerto Rican driver’s licenses. Perez-Jimenez sourced the original documents from citizens residing in Puerto Rico, then fabricated the licenses to match, creating a false paper trail for his clients. This allowed the couple to attempt to fraudulently obtain U.S. passports, employment verification, open bank accounts, and even secure Maryland driver’s licenses under the stolen identities.

The scheme unraveled when Perez-Jimenez attempted to sell documents to an undercover agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). On February 8, 2020, he boasted he could provide a full set of falsified documents. A $1,000 deposit was made, and Perez-Jimenez requested the agent’s physical characteristics and photos. Just days later, on March 12, 2020, Perez-Jimenez delivered the counterfeit documents in Baltimore, accepting a final payment of $2,000. He was arrested immediately. The documents included a birth certificate, social security card, and a fake Puerto Rican driver’s license, all bearing the name of a real U.S. citizen but displaying the agent’s photo.

A subsequent search of Perez-Jimenez’s home, vehicle, and person yielded further evidence of his operation, including a W-2 form in the name of one of his victims and a trove of communications on his cell phone detailing the procurement of identification documents and passport-sized photos. The DSS, led by Special Agent in Charge Andrew Wroblewski, played a critical role in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron praised the DSS’s work, stating this case underscores the seriousness of identity theft and the dedication of federal agencies to combating these crimes.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal information and the lengths to which criminals will go to exploit it. The sentence handed down to Perez-Jimenez should send a clear message: stealing identities and trafficking in fraudulent documents will not be tolerated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to prosecuting those who prey on the innocent and undermine the integrity of our nation’s identity systems.