Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Stealing $17,500 in MassHealth Benefits

A Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to Social Security and benefit fraud.

Ismael Robles Tejeda, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of false statements in matters relating to health care. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 29, 2019.

On Aug. 3, 2015, Robles Tejeda applied for a Massachusetts identification card using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a Puerto Rican citizen. In October 2015, Robles Tejeda used that Massachusetts identification card to apply for and receive over $17,500 worth of MassHealth benefits in the Puerto Rican citizen’s name. When Robles Tejeda was arrested in April 2019, he had in his pocket a Massachusetts driver’s license issued to him in the identity of the Puerto Rican citizen. Robles Tejeda was identified, among other things, from a fingerprint match with a Dominican Republic identification document issued to him and bearing his photo.

The charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, restitution and forfeiture. According to a plea agreement, Robles Tejeda will be sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution. He will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. 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; Jason Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Health and Humand Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistants U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.