BOSTON – A Roxbury man identified as John Doe was arrested today and arraigned in federal court in Boston.
According to the indictment unsealed today, Doe repeatedly used a Social Security number that was not his, including to obtain a U.S. passport, which he then used to enter the U.S., and in support of a claim for Massachusetts unemployment insurance benefits. The indictment also charges that Doe obtained public housing benefits worth over $65,000 by using a Social Security number that was not his. The defendant’s true identity remains unknown.
The charging statute for aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive with any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of theft of public funds and using a passport obtained through false statements each provide for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of misuse of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.