Press Release
New Jersey Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Fraudulent Passport Card
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
BOSTON – A New Jersey woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to using a fraudulent passport card at a Shrewsbury credit union while attempting to withdraw money from a customer’s account.
Elizabeth Clemente, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of forgery or false use of a passport. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Feb. 6, 2025. In June 2024, Clemente was indicted by a federal grand jury.
On Nov. 7, 2023, police responded to a credit union in Shrewsbury where employees reported that Clemente attempted to withdraw money by impersonating a real credit union account holder, “Person #1.” While speaking with law enforcement, Clemente first identified herself “Heather.” When pressed for further identification information, Clemente provided the name of “Person #1,” however Clemente could not remember her date of birth or address. When further questioned, Clemente handed law enforcement a fraudulent U.S. Passport Card. The passport card bore Person #1’s name and actual date of birth but contained Clemente’s photograph.
The charge of forgery or false use of a passport provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $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; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Updated November 8, 2024
Topic
Identity Theft
Component