Hazelton Man Sentenced To 24 Months’ Imprisonment For Aggravated Identity Theft In Connection With A Scheme To Unlawfully Obtain Government Benefits

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Andres Santos, age 39, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on March 30, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 24 months’ imprisonment for aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to unlawfully obtain various government benefits.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on February 21, 2019, Santos used the name, social security number, and birth date of the victim, and misrepresented his citizenship status, in order to obtain social welfare benefits to which he was not entitled, specifically, Medicaid Medical Assistance benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, in a total amount of approximately $11,000.00. 

The case was investigated by Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania Office of the State Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.

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