BOSTON – Another day, another fraud. Alexander Villalona Diaz, 34, formerly of Lawrence, Massachusetts, is facing federal charges after allegedly building a life on a stolen identity. The Dominican national was arrested and charged with one count of false representation of a Social Security number, a crime that’s become sickeningly commonplace.
According to court documents, Villalona Diaz wasn’t just skimming a few bucks. He allegedly used the pilfered Social Security number on August 16, 2016, to fraudulently renew a Massachusetts driver’s license. But that was just the start. Between September 2012 and June 2018, he’s accused of using the same stolen number to illegally apply for MassHealth benefits, leaching off a system designed for those truly in need.
The feds moved quickly after uncovering the scheme. Following his initial court appearance, Villalona Diaz was immediately detained, with a detention hearing scheduled for September 4, 2020. Let’s hope the judge keeps him locked up this time. Too often, these types get a slap on the wrist and are back on the streets, victimizing more people.
If convicted, Villalona Diaz is looking at a harsh sentence. The charging statute carries a potential prison term of up to five years, followed by three years of supervised release. And that’s not all – he could also be hit with a hefty $250,000 fine. Of course, the actual sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
This investigation was a multi-agency effort, with the U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling leading the charge. He was joined by officials from Homeland Security Investigations, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, the Department of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Massachusetts State Police, and even the State Auditor. It took a village to catch this guy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Deitch of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution. It’s important to remember, however, that the details in the charging documents are simply allegations at this point. Villalona Diaz is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But the evidence, as presented, paints a damning picture of a calculated and brazen attempt to defraud the system. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.
Related Federal Cases
- Pereyra Diaz Gets Year for Identity Theft & Healthcare Fraud · Massachusetts
- Lynn Man Admits to Social Security & Identity Theft · Massachusetts
- New Hampshire Man Stole Identities, Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Identity Theft · Massachusetts
- Blackstone Manager Nabbed in $517K Wage Theft · Massachusetts
- Rhode Island Man Gets 3 Years for Pandemic Theft · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
