Skip to main content
Press Release

Springfield Woman Charged with Aggravated Identity Theft and Stealing Government Benefits

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Springfield woman was arrested today on charges of aggravated identity theft and theft of government money.

Jane Doe, whose identity is unknown, was indicted on two counts of theft of public money, one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft.

It is alleged that Doe falsely represented another individual’s Social Security number as her own on an application for Section 8 housing assistance benefits in October 2018. In addition, Doe is charged with stealing Social Security disability benefits from August 2017 to August 2018, and Section 8 benefits from April 2019 through February 2021. 

Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’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.

Updated February 18, 2021