Dominican National Charged with Identity Theft

BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with identity theft.

Willy Antonio Hernandez Camilo, 33, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, was indicted on one count of passport fraud, two counts of misuse of a Social Security number, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, Hernandez Camilo purported to be a U.S. citizen in 2014 when he applied for a passport at a Methuen post office. On the passport application, Hernandez Camilo represented the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico as his own and supported the application by presenting a birth certificate and Massachusetts driver’s license in the victim’s name. Court documents further allege that Hernandez Camilo misused a Social Security number and committed aggravated identity theft in connection with a Massachusetts driver’s license renewal application that he submitted in 2016.

The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of passport fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised released, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of misuse of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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