BOSTON – In a shocking case of identity theft, a Dominican national was sentenced yesterday for stealing MassHealth benefits and committing Social Security fraud.
José Miguel Baez, 43, was sentenced via videoconference by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to two years and one day in prison and two years of supervised release.
The defendant also was ordered to pay restitution of approximately $17,198 to MassHealth, the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and various other utility and medical providers. Baez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.
In December 2019, Baez pleaded guilty to one count each of false representation of a Social Security Number, aggravated identity theft and false statements in matters relating to health care.
According to authorities, on Aug. 7, 2017, Baez applied for and obtained a Massachusetts driver’s license in the identity of a Puerto Rican-born United States citizen. Eight days later, Baez applied for MassHealth using the victim’s identity and obtained $3,727 in MassHealth benefits.
Baez’s use of the victim’s identity resulted in a total loss of at least $17,194 to utility companies, medical providers, MassHealth and the state unemployment agency. When Baez was arrested in April 2019, agents recovered the Massachusetts driver’s license issued to him in the fraudulent identity and a copy of his Dominican identification document in his true name bearing his photo.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of Lelling’s Criminal Division, and was announced by United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigation, New York Regional Office; and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division.
Related Federal Cases
- Letitia James Demands ICE Identity Disclosure, New York, 2023 · New Mexico
- John F. Rivers, Car Theft Ring Leader, New York, 2023 · Mississippi
- Ambulai R. Sheku, Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, Theft of Governm… · Washington
- Robert Evans, Stolen Identity Refund Fraud, MA, 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Silvia Maria Garcia-Coyado Sentenced to ID Theft Scheme, Houma LA, … · New York
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
