Colombian National Charged with Voter Fraud, Federal Benefit Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses
Defendant alleged to have voted in the 2024 presidential election; lived under stolen identity for more than 20 years; obtained a Real ID; and improperly received more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits
BOSTON – A Colombian woman unlawfully residing in Boston has been indicted by a federal grand jury for identity theft offenses—including receiving rental assistance, Social Security, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits—as well as voter fraud under the stolen identity. The defendant also allegedly applied for a U.S passport and obtained a Massachusetts Real ID and eight other state IDs. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
The U.S. Attorney announced Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of false representation of a Social Security number; one count of making a false statement in an application for a U.S. 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. Orovio-Hernandez was previously charged in an indictment in February 2025 and has remained in federal custody since that time.
According to court filings, Orovio-Hernandez, a Colombian national without lawful status in the United States, has lived under a stolen identity for more than 20 years. Using this stolen identity, Orovio-Hernandez allegedly obtained nine state IDs, including a Massachusetts Real ID and applied for a U.S. passport.
Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023 and cast a fraudulent ballot in the November 2024 presidential election. It is further alleged that Orovio-Hernandez improperly received approximately $400,000 in federal benefits: $259,589 in 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 SNAP benefits from April 2005 through January 2025.
The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years of in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charges of receiving stolen government or property provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charges of fraudulent registration and fraudulent voting each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation after completing any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorny Leah B. Foley; Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien; Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly; Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice; and Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Northeast Region Charmeka Parker made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service and USCIS. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Protecting the integrity of the immigration process is a priority for USCIS. To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.