DOJ charges illegal immigrant with identity theft, voter fraud, receiving stolen government property

An illegal immigrant from Colombia residing in Boston was indicted by a federal grand jury this week for "identity theft offenses, including receiving rental assistance, Social Security and SNAP benefits, as well as voter fraud under the stolen identity," according to the Justice Department. 

Using a stolen identity, Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, allegedly was able to obtain eight state IDs and a Massachusetts Real ID.

DOJ said that Orovio-Hernandez fraudulently received about $400,000 in federal benefits, including $259,589 for "Section 8 rental assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 through January 2025; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from April 2005 through January 2025."

She also allegedly registered to vote and cast a "fraudulent ballot" in the 2024 election.

According to DOJ, she was charged with "one count of false representation of a Social Security number; one count of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport; one count of aggravated identity theft; three counts of receiving stolen government money or property; one count of fraudulent voter registration; and one count of fraudulent voting."