Dominican Man Charged With Using Stolen U.S. Citizen Identity for Health Benefits: About $16,205 in MassHealth, Detained After Boston Court Appearance
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced on November 3 that a Dominican man unlawfully residing in Salem, Massachusetts, has been charged by criminal complaint with allegedly unlawfully obtaining health care benefits using a stolen identity and with aggravated identity theft.
Cledis German Romero, 40, has been charged with healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft. He appeared in federal court in Boston on November 3, 2026, and has been detained pending further proceedings.
According to the charging documents, German Romero allegedly used the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen to obtain Massachusetts state driver's licenses and healthcare benefits, including approximately $16,205 in MassHealth benefits. He also allegedly used the stolen identity in connection with multiple arrests and criminal convictions in Massachusetts, including resisting arrest and conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act.
The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years and one year of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Conroy of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. On March 26, 2026, Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, and the public can report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts at 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
The Justice Department noted that the details in the charging document are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国司法部本部大楼（GSM 四级固定图库）。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Justice headquarters (GSM fixed asset library).
