A woman from Lawrence has been charged in Boston federal court with passport fraud, aggravated identity theft, and misuse of a Social Security number. Wendy Dume Chavez, 49, was arrested and faced these charges. Her initial court appearance occurred the same afternoon as her arrest, and a detention hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2025.
According to the criminal complaint, in June 2020, Dume Chavez allegedly applied for a passport renewal using another person's name, date of birth, and Social Security number. A passport was issued to her under these credentials. She allegedly used the victim’s information to obtain several government-issued identification documents, including a Massachusetts driver’s license.
The charge of passport fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft includes a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, added to any existing felony sentence. Misuse of a Social Security number could result in up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is determined by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley with support from Matthew O’Brien of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations, Millix Bonilla, Acting Chief of Police in Lawrence, and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
