Allentown Man Charged with Aggravated Identity Theft and Fraud

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Jose Anico 69, of Allentown, PA was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with one count of false statements in connection with an application for a passport, one count of aggravated identity theft, five counts of wire fraud, and four counts of health care fraud.

The indictment charges the defendant with acquiring the identifying information of a United States Citizen who was a resident of New York City and who died on August 13, 1999. Anico used the victim’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number for various purposes, including applying for and receiving Social Security Administration benefits, Medicare benefits, a Pennsylvania driver’s license, and a United States passport.

From May 2002 through November 2018, Anico received more than $475,000 in government benefits that he was not entitled to receive under his assumed name.   

“Aggravated identity theft and fraud are serious crimes,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “My Office is committed to making sure that the personal identifying information of our citizens is protected and not stolen or abused. We are also committed to ensuring that no one steals money or services from the federal government.”

Robert Castro, Resident Agent In Charge of the DSS Philadelphia Resident Office said, “Today’s indictment demonstrates how our presence at more than 275 diplomatic missions worldwide positions us well to target passport fraud and other related crimes with a transnational nexus.”

If convicted, Anico faces a maximum penalty 152 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, forfeiture and restitution, a $2,750,000 fine, and a $1,100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Philadelphia Resident Office in partnership with the DSS Regional Security Office in Santo Domingo, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everett Witherell.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.