Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A Colombian woman living in Boston has been arrested and charged with identity theft and stealing federal benefits. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 58, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including misuse of a Social Security number, making a false statement in an application for a U.S. passport, and theft of government money. She appeared in federal court in Boston recently.
Court documents allege that Orovio-Hernandez applied for a U.S. passport and a Massachusetts Real ID using another person's identity. She is also accused of illegally obtaining approximately $259,589 in Section 8 housing assistance from October 2011 through January 2025.
The charge related to the misuse of a Social Security number carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge concerning the false passport application could result in up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a similar fine. Theft of government money also carries penalties including up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. If convicted, Orovio-Hernandez may face deportation after serving her sentence.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the arrest along with Matthew O’Brien from the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Amy Connelly from the Social Security Administration; Vicky Vazquez from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Charmeka Parker from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The United States Postal Inspection Service assisted with the investigation.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that these charges are allegations at this stage, and Orovio-Hernandez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
