Robely Eladio De Jesus Guerrero, False Identity Crimes, Massachusetts 2024

BOSTON — In a case that highlights the severity of identity theft, a Dominican national has pleaded guilty to using a U.S. citizen’s Social Security number to apply for a Massachusetts driver’s license.

Robely Eladio De Jesus Guerrero, 32, a resident of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of false representation of a Social Security number in federal court in Boston.

According to the investigation, on January 4, 2016, De Jesus Guerrero used the Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to submit a renewal application for a Massachusetts driver’s license under the victim’s name. This illicit act is a serious crime and shows the devastating impact it can have on the victim’s life.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false representation of 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. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Law enforcement officials praised the work of the DBFTF in bringing this case to justice. ‘This case demonstrates the commitment of our law enforcement partners to protect citizens from identity theft and other financial crimes,’ said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who engage in these types of schemes.’

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Deitch of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit. Valuable assistance was provided by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Office; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Boston Field Office; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Boston; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Massachusetts Office of Inspector General.

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