Worcester Man Accused Of Using Dead Man's Identity For More Than 20 Years

Federal prosecutors say he used a dead man's identity to obtain SNAP, MassHealth and a Massachusetts identification card.

By Jessie Castellano, Patch Staff

Oct 1, 2026 12:41 PM EDT

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester man has been indicted on federal charges that he used a dead man's identity for more than two decades.

The defendant, identified in court documents as "John Doe" was charged with unlawfully obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, falsely representing a Social Security number, making false statements involving health care matters and aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday

He is accused of using the identity to obtain about $12,623 in SNAP benefits, MassHealth coverage and a Massachusetts identification card.

The defendant has lived in Massachusetts under the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico since at least 2001, according to prosecutors. The citizen died in 2006.

Following his release from state prison in January 2022, he used the identity to apply for SNAP benefits. During an April 2022 conversation with a Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance employee, he claimed to be the person named on the application, said he was a U.S. citizen and confirmed the Social Security number, prosecutors said.

The employee wrote "Death match ??? – reviewing with supervisor" in the file, apparently indicating that the Social Security number belonged to a deceased person, according to charging documents. The application was approved and the defendant allegedly received benefits from April 2022 through February 2026.

Court records also list Massachusetts convictions under the stolen identity, including a 2012 Worcester Superior Court conviction for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and cocaine trafficking. He received prison sentences of eight to 10 years and 11 to 15 years, respectively.

The defendant was arrested on a criminal complaint in April and remains in federal custody.

The SNAP fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The Social Security and health care false statement charges each carry maximum five-year sentences, while aggravated identity theft carries at least two years in prison. Each charge also carries a potential fine of up to $250,000.