OIG - Office of Inspector General
05/22/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Benefit Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Benefit Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses
BOSTON - A Dominican man unlawfully residing in Salem, N.H., pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing the identity of an American citizen from Puerto Rico to obtain a U.S. Passport as well as federally funded benefits from Massachusetts. Juan Felipe Chalas, 58, pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a passport application and unlawfully obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 8, 2026. The defendant was one of nine charged earlier this year as part of a benefit fraud crackdown. He remains in federal custody pending sentencing.
Read more on https://www.justice.gov
Action Details
- Date:May 22, 2026
- Agency:U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
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Enforcement Types:
- Criminal and Civil Actions
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