A Colombian lady residing illegally in the USA lived underneath a stolen identification for greater than 20 years, improperly acquired greater than $400,000 in stolen federal advantages, and illegally voted within the 2024 presidential election, federal prosecutors mentioned Thursday.
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, additionally obtained welfare advantages, a REAL ID and eight different state ID’s, the Justice Division mentioned.
Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identification to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023, and solid a poll in final 12 months’s presidential election, prosecutors mentioned.
She was captured on surveillance digital camera at a financial institution sporting an “I voted” sticker on Nov. 5, 2024, Election Day, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
She is charged with false illustration of a Social Safety quantity; making a false assertion in an utility for a United States passport; aggravated identification theft; receiving stolen authorities cash or property; fraudulent voter registration; and fraudulent voting.
Orovio-Hernandez has been held in federal custody since February, when she was charged with identification theft and different offenses.
Authorities mentioned Orovio-Hernandez improperly acquired $400,000 in federal advantages: $259,589 in Part 8 rental help advantages from October 2011 by January 2025; $101,257 in Social Safety incapacity advantages from July 2014 by January; and $43,348 in Supplemental Diet Help Program advantages or SNAP, from April 2005 by January.
“For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity – including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need,” mentioned US Legal professional Leah B. Foley.
“The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a US citizen. Government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully – not support an illegal alien without a right to be here.”
She additionally utilized for a US passport, claiming to be a US citizen who was born in Puerto Rico, authorities mentioned.
Orovio-Hernandez wasn’t entitled to any of the advantages she acquired, mentioned Foley, citing her unlawful presence within the US.
“Stealing someone’s identity to unlawfully obtain Social Security benefits is not just theft—it’s a long-term abuse of a system meant to support those truly in need,” mentioned Amy Connelly, the particular agent in cost for the Social Safety Administration (SSA), Workplace of the Inspector Normal within the Boston-New York subject division.
