Manuel Antonio Baez, Healthcare Benefit Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Massachusetts 2026

Manuel Antonio Baez Charged with Healthcare Benefit Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

BOSTON, Massachusetts - Manuel Antonio Baez, a 52-year-old Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Massachusetts, has been arrested and charged with healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to the charging documents, Baez allegedly used the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen to obtain government benefits in Massachusetts. Specifically, Baez allegedly represented that he was a U.S. citizen when applying for healthcare benefits and submitted a sworn affidavit falsely alleging the same.

The defendant allegedly obtained over $80,000 in MassHealth benefits using the stolen identity and committed drug offenses in the name of the U.S. citizen, including a 2018 conviction for trafficking heroin and other offenses and a 2007 conviction for possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance.

The charge of falsely representing a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program also provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin T. Missett of the Health Care Fraud Unit. The details contained in the charging document are allegations, and the defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.

The creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts, was announced on March 26, 2026, by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.

Additionally, the National Fraud Enforcement Division was created on April 7, 2026, with the core mission of zealously investigating and prosecuting those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/illegal-alien-previously-convicted-drug-trafficking-charged-healthcare-benefit-fraud-and