Former Chelsea Man Indicted for Identity Theft Offenses

BOSTON – A former Chelsea man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for misuse of a Social Security number and making false statements in a passport application. 

Jose Ezequiel Reyes-Acosta, 48, was indicted for misuse of a Social Security number and making a false statement in an application for a United States passport. Reyes-Acosta will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Reyes-Acosta, a citizen of El Salvador, applied for a United States passport and a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Real ID using the name and other biographical information of another individual.

The charge of misuse of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years of in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, Division of Field Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 

The details contained in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.