A Brazilian national residing illegally in Danbury, Connecticut, has admitted guilt in a conspiracy to obtain driver’s licenses for individuals who were not eligible. Helbert Costa Generoso, aged 41, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to unlawfully produce and possess identification documents with the intent to transfer them, as well as furnishing a false passport for use by another person. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman has scheduled his sentencing for October 2, 2025.
Costa Generoso was charged alongside four co-conspirators in December 2024. From November 2020 through September 2024, he and his alleged accomplices fraudulently secured driver’s licenses for illegal aliens living in states that do not allow such individuals to obtain these licenses. Before July 2023, Massachusetts did not permit illegal aliens to get driver’s licenses; however, New York began allowing it from 2019. The conspirators allegedly charged approximately $1,400 per customer for obtaining these fraudulent licenses and passports.
In New York, applicants are required to pass a written test and complete driver’s education coursework before obtaining a license. The co-conspirators reportedly circumvented this process by taking photos of customers sitting down during online tests and completing the tests on their behalf.
The group also allegedly forged driving school certificates and signatures and arranged meetings with Massachusetts-based customers at local locations before transporting them to New York DMV branches with fake documents proving residency.
Costa Generoso is the second defendant to plead guilty in this case. Three other alleged co-conspirators have pleaded not guilty and await trial.
The charge of conspiracy carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, while furnishing a false passport could result in up to ten years’ imprisonment. Both charges include possible fines of up to $250,000 each.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley along with Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations and Kelly Larco-Ward from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston.
Assistance came from various agencies including the NY DMV Division of Field Investigation and police departments across Boston, Danbury, and Waterbury. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that all details provided are allegations unless proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt in court.
