Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Colombian national living unlawfully in Boston has been convicted on several federal charges, including identity theft, voter fraud, and federal benefit fraud. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, was found guilty after a five-day jury trial in Boston federal court.
Orovio-Hernandez was convicted of one count each of false representation of a Social Security number, making a false statement in an application for a U.S. passport, aggravated identity theft, three counts of receiving stolen government money or property, and one count of fraudulent voting. She was charged by superseding indictment in May 2025 and had previously been indicted in February 2025. She has remained in federal custody since her arrest.
According to prosecutors, Orovio-Hernandez used a stolen identity for more than two decades to obtain nine state IDs—including a Massachusetts Real ID—and to apply for a U.S. passport. She also cast an illegal ballot during the November 2024 presidential election using the stolen identity.
Authorities stated that Orovio-Hernandez illegally received approximately $400,000 in federal benefits over several years: about $259,589 from Section 8 rental assistance between October 2011 and January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 through January 2025; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from April 2005 through January 2025.
“Ms. Orovio-Hernandez has lived in this country illegally for two decades, during which time she repeatedly made false statements, stole, committed fraud and even voted illegally,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Her repeated criminal acts are a slap in the face to all those who come into this country legally and abide by our laws. The air of entitlement is astounding. This case is yet another example of our commitment to rooting out those who violate our immigration laws and steal from United States Citizens.”
“This investigation highlights the critical role of DSS in protecting the American public from identity and document fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Nathan Hebert of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office. “This conviction reflects the tireless efforts of our special agents and the strength of our partnerships across agencies.”
“This verdict sends a clear message: identity theft and fraud against federal benefit programs will not go undetected or unpunished,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), Boston–New York Field Division. “The jury confirmed that the defendant used a stolen identity to illegally collect Social Security benefits, commit voter fraud, and undermine public trust. SSA OIG is committed to investigating and holding accountable anyone—including illegal immigrants—who exploit Social Security programs.”
“Orovio-Hernandez’s calculated deception caused her to fraudulently receive over $400,000 in federal benefits including more than $250,000 in HUD rental assistance. These taxpayer funds were intended to provide housing assistance to our most at-risk populations—low income, disabled, and elderly United States citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “Her actions were not a onetime mistake or accident. She lived under a stolen identity for over two decades, taking numerous actions and steps to further defraud the United States Government. HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs.”
Each charge carries potential prison sentences ranging from five to ten years per count as well as fines up to $250,000 per offense; aggravated identity theft requires a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence if convicted alongside other offenses.
The prosecution team included Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm from the Major Crimes Unit.
