A Colombian woman residing in Boston has been arrested on charges related to identity theft and the illegal acquisition of federal benefits. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, aged 58, faces allegations of misusing a Social Security number, making false statements on a United States passport application, and stealing government funds.
The federal grand jury indictment accuses Orovio-Hernandez of using another person's identity to apply for a U.S. passport and a Massachusetts Real ID. Furthermore, she allegedly obtained approximately $259,589 in Section 8 housing assistance from October 2011 through January 2025.
The potential penalties for these charges are significant. Misuse of a Social Security number carries up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. False statements on passport applications could result in up to ten years in prison with similar fines. Theft of government money also holds the possibility of ten years' imprisonment and financial penalties that may be twice the gross gain or loss involved.
If convicted, Orovio-Hernandez could face deportation proceedings following any sentence served. Sentencing decisions will be made by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was announced by several officials: United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Matthew O’Brien from the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Amy Connelly from the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General; Vicky Vazquez from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Charmeka Parker from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg is handling the prosecution with support from the United States Postal Inspection Service during the investigation.
It is important to note that an indictment contains allegations that have yet to be proven in court, where defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.