A New York man, Chad Maurer, 34, faces charges of aggravated identity theft and use of a false passport following an indictment by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2025. The announcement was made by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont.
Maurer pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on May 2, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. He has been in detention since a hearing on April 17, 2025, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which followed his arrest near Scranton, Pennsylvania, on April 11, 2025.
The United States Attorney’s Office clarified that the indictment consists solely of allegations. Maurer retains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison for the charge of using a false passport and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft. The actual penalty would be determined by the District Court with consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory sentencing factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the Diplomatic Security Service and the United States Marshals Service for their investigative efforts.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Arra, while Maurer is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls.