A Worcester man whose true identity remains unknown has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of living for years under the identity of a deceased U.S. citizen and using that identity to obtain government benefits and a Massachusetts identification card.
The defendant, identified in federal court as “John Doe,” was indicted on charges of unlawfully obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, falsely representing a Social Security number, making false statements related to health care and aggravated identity theft, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts.
Federal prosecutors allege the man has lived in Massachusetts since at least 2001 using the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico who died in 2006.
Under that identity, prosecutors say, the defendant obtained a Massachusetts identification card and MassHealth benefits and accumulated a criminal record that includes assault and drug convictions.
In 2012, the man was convicted in Worcester Superior Court of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon involving a gun and trafficking cocaine, according to the announcement. He was sentenced to eight to 10 years in state prison on the assault charge and 11 to 15 years on the drug charge.
After his release from prison in January 2022, prosecutors allege, the defendant used the stolen identity to apply for SNAP benefits.
During the application process in April 2022, the man allegedly told an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance that he was the person named on the application, was a U.S. citizen and verified the Social Security number associated with the identity.
According to charging documents cited by prosecutors, the DTA employee entered a note in the file reading, “Death match ??? – reviewing with supervisor,” apparently indicating that the Social Security number provided by the applicant matched a deceased person.
The application was nevertheless approved, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege the man received approximately $12,623 in SNAP benefits under the stolen identity between April 2022 and February 2026.
The defendant was initially arrested in April on a criminal complaint and remains in federal custody. The new charges were returned by a federal grand jury.
If convicted, the SNAP fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charges involving a Social Security number and false health care statements each carry maximum sentences of five years, while aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years, according to the announcement. Any sentence would ultimately be determined by a federal judge.
The investigation involves Homeland Security Investigations, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
