9 Charged In Stolen Identity Benefits Fraud Scheme

BOSTON, MA — A federal crackdown on schemes led to nine individuals facing charges in connection with a stolen identity scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The nine exploited stolen identities to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , MassHealth and Social Security benefits, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.

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The following defendants were charged as part of the federal benefits fraud investigation:

• Juan Felipe Chalas, 58, a Dominican national residing in Salem, New Hampshire, was charged with making a false statement in a passport application, aggravated identity theft and unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits
• Efrain Rivera, 54, a resident of Puerto Rico living in New Bedford, was charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, misuse of a Social Security number and aggravated identity theft
• Danis Piron Lara, 51, a Dominican national residing in Dorchester, was charged with aggravated identity theft, unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits and making false statements relating to a health care program
• Erpawi Roque Collado, 53, a resident of Boston, was charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits
• John Doe, also known as Wilkin Emilio Pimental Pereyra, 44, a Dominican national residing in Boston, was charged with aggravated identity theft, theft of government benefits and unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits
• John Doe, an individual whose true identity is unknown and was living in Hyde Park, was charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, misuse of a Social Security number and aggravated identity theft
• Mercedes Soto Capellan, 53, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, was charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits
• Oscar Gonzalez Melo, 59, a Dominican national residing in Boston, was charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, making false statements related to health care benefits, making false statements related to Social Security benefits and aggravated identity theft
• Cruz Augusta Pena Arias, 58, a Dominican national residing in Salem, was charged with making a false statement in an application for a United States passport, aggravated identity theft and unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits

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The nine "used stolen identities — often belonging to U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico — to obtain government-issued identification," the release said.

The fraudulently obtained identification included Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles credentials and U.S. passports, which were then used to apply for and receive public benefits, according to the release.

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"In some cases, the defendants are alleged to have used stolen identities over extended periods of time — including one individual who allegedly lived under a stolen identity for more than 20 years," the release said.

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"In multiple instances, the defendants allegedly provided stolen identities to law enforcement during prior arrests, and at least one defendant has a prior conviction under the same identity," according to the release.

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