A Dominican national residing unlawfully in Methuen was charged on May 18 with misuse of a Social Security number and aggravated identity theft. Victor Urena-Almanzar, 61, faces one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. He made his initial appearance in federal court in Boston on May 11.
The case is significant because it involves allegations that Urena-Almanzar assumed the identity of a United States citizen to obtain multiple Massachusetts identification cards and a United States passport using the victim’s name. Authorities allege he used the fraudulently obtained passport for international travel between the United States and the Dominican Republic, as well as to secure a Massachusetts REAL ID identification card.
According to charging documents, Urena-Almanzar has previous convictions: he pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in California in 2001 and was convicted for illegal communication device-related fraud in Wisconsin in 1995.
If convicted, Urena-Almanzar could face up to five years in prison for misuse of a Social Security number, along with three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other sentence imposed, one year supervised release, and another $250,000 fine. The defendant may be deported after serving any sentence imposed. Sentences are determined by federal district court judges according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said assistance came from Homeland Security Investigations New England Acting Special Agent Jeff Grimming and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang is prosecuting the case. “The details contained in the charging documents are allegations,” Foley said. “The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions involving crimes such as national security threats and civil rights violations; it serves all residents across Massachusetts through its offices at Boston’s John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse as well as branches in Springfield and Worcester; employs over 200 attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff; advances community initiatives on civil rights; is part of the Department of Justice; and serves all state residents according to the official website.
