A federal jury has found Lesbia Cristina Grullon Nolasco, age 49, guilty of passport fraud, theft of government property, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement to a federal agency, according to an April 15 announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Grullon Nolasco faces up to 10 years in prison for passport fraud and theft of government property, up to five years for making a false statement to a federal agency, and a mandatory minimum of two years’ imprisonment for aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is scheduled for July 21.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of identity theft and its impact on both individuals and government programs. Prosecutors said Grullon Nolasco lived in the United States for more than three decades using the stolen identity of a Puerto Rican woman.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Grullon Nolasco obtained fraudulent identification documents with her photo but under another woman's name. In 2018, she successfully applied for and received a U.S. passport using this stolen identity. When questioned by agents from the U.S. Department of State in March 2024, she claimed to be born in Puerto Rico under the victim’s name but could not answer basic questions about Puerto Rico correctly.
Investigators also found that between August 2021 and November 2025, Grullon Nolasco used over $10,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the false identity while being investigated by federal agents. The real person whose identity was stolen was denied SNAP benefits as a result.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security at the U.S. Department of State, Office of Inspector General at the United States Department of Agriculture, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Cruz is prosecuting the case.
