Dominican National Pleads Guilty To Identity Theft

BOSTON – A Dominican man was convicted today of stealing a U.S. citizen’s social security number to obtain benefits.

Pablo M. Severino, of Lynn, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to aggravated identity theft, theft of public money and using another=s social security number to obtain benefits.

In March 2012, federal agents commenced an investigation into a social security identity which had been falsely used to obtain disability benefits. The investigation revealed that Severino had obtained the social security number and the identity of a true U.S. citizen living in Puerto Rico. Severino then used that individual’s identity to apply for and receive social security disability benefits. Further investigation revealed that Severino was not a U.S. citizen but rather a citizen of the Dominican Republic.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2013. Severino faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge of theft of money, followed by a consecutive term of two years in prison on the charge of aggravated identity theft. Additionally Severino faces a fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release and restitution. Following the completion of his sentence, Severino will be placed into deportation proceedings and deported back to the Dominican Republic.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and William Squires, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigation, Northeast Regional, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz=s Major Crimes Unit.