A Bradenton resident, Jane Doe, also known as Rosario Alaniz, has been indicted on charges of passport fraud, Social Security fraud, wire fraud, and theft of government funds. The indictment was unsealed by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe in Tampa.
Doe faces one count of passport fraud, two counts of Social Security fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and two counts of theft of government funds. If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge, 10 years for each passport and theft offense, and 5 years for each Social Security fraud count.
According to the indictment, Doe is accused of obtaining a U.S. passport using false information and then using this identity to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from the Department of Agriculture as well as disability insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration. The indictment states that Doe failed to report employment income while receiving these benefits, resulting in her receiving payments either not due or in amounts greater than authorized. The total amount of government benefits allegedly received through this conduct is approximately $183,800.
“An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty,” according to the announcement.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel will prosecute the case.
The release noted that while these events took place previously, publication was delayed because of a government shutdown.
