New York Man Charged with Aggravated Identity Theft

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on March 13, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Chad Maurer, 34, of New York, with aggravated identity theft and use of a false passport.

Maurer entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on May 2, 2025 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Maurer had been previously detained at a hearing held in the Middle District of Pennsylvania on April 17, 2025 following his arrest in the Scranton, Pennsylvania-area on April 11, 2025.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Maurer is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Maurer faces up to ten years’ incarceration if convicted for use of a false passport, and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years’ incarceration if convicted for aggravated identity theft. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Diplomatic Security Service and the United States Marshals Service.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Arra. Maurer is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls.