Joseph Doe, Identity Fraud, Massachusetts 2021

BOSTON, MA – A Lawrence man who has been living under a false identity pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to charges arising from his use of the name and Social Security number of a US citizen.

Joseph Doe, whose real identity is currently unknown, pleaded guilty to false representation of a Social Security number, making a false statement concerning a health care benefit program, and aggravated identity theft. US District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for September 30, 2021.

Doe was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2020.

Beginning in approximately 2014, Doe used the identity of a US citizen to apply for MassHealth benefits and Massachusetts identification documents, among other things. Between approximately 2014 and 2018, Doe received approximately $25,081 in MassHealth benefits that he was not entitled to.

The charges of false representation of a Social Security number and making a false statement concerning a health care benefit program each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell, William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, and Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant US Attorneys Mackenzie Duane and Benjamin Saltzman of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

With the guilty plea, Doe faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutively with any other sentence imposed for the remaining charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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