A 56-year-old Colombian national living illegally in Houston has been charged with theft of government funds, false representation of a U.S. citizen, and aggravated identity theft, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Authorities stated that the man’s real identity is still unknown. He was most recently known by the alias Johnny Mina Rodriguez. He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.
The indictment, which was unsealed on November 5, alleges that the individual fraudulently applied for and received Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits starting in June 2011 by posing as a U.S. citizen.
According to prosecutors, he continued to receive these disability payments until his arrest, accumulating more than $150,000 in stolen government funds.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. Additionally, he faces a mandatory two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft that would be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The SSA Office of the Inspector General led the investigation into the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen M. Lansden is prosecuting.
“An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law,” according to the press release.
