A Colombian woman living illegally in Boston was convicted in federal court of multiple offenses, including identity theft, voter fraud, and federal benefit fraud. The conviction follows a five-day jury trial.
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, was found guilty of several charges: false representation of a Social Security number; making a false statement on a U.S. passport application; aggravated identity theft; three counts of receiving stolen government money or property; and fraudulent voting. She had been charged by superseding indictment in May 2025 and has remained in custody since her initial indictment in February 2025.
According to prosecutors, Orovio-Hernandez used a stolen identity for over two decades while residing unlawfully in the United States. With this identity, she obtained nine state identification cards—including a Massachusetts Real ID—and applied for a U.S. passport.
Authorities stated that Orovio-Hernandez used the stolen identity to vote fraudulently in the November 2024 presidential election. Additionally, she received approximately $400,000 in federal benefits under the false identity: about $259,589 from Section 8 rental assistance between October 2011 and January 2025; $101,257 from Social Security disability benefits between July 2014 and January 2025; and $43,348 from SNAP benefits between April 2005 and January 2025.
“Ms. Orovio-Hernandez has lived in this country illegally for two decades, during which time she repeatedly made false statements, stole, committed fraud and even voted illegally,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Her repeated criminal acts are a slap in the face to all those who come into this country legally and abide by our laws. The air of entitlement is astounding. This case is yet another example of our commitment to rooting out those who violate our immigration laws and steal from United States Citizens.”
“This investigation highlights the critical role of DSS in protecting the American public from identity and document fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Nathan Hebert of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office. “This conviction reflects the tireless efforts of our special agents and the strength of our partnerships across agencies.”
“This verdict sends a clear message: identity theft and fraud against federal benefit programs will not go undetected or unpunished,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), Boston–New York Field Division. “The jury confirmed that the defendant used a stolen identity to illegally collect Social Security benefits, commit voter fraud, and undermine public trust. SSA OIG is committed to investigating and holding accountable anyone—including illegal immigrants—who exploit Social Security programs.”
“Orovio-Hernandez’s calculated deception caused her to fraudulently receive over $400,000 in federal benefits including more than $250,000 in HUD rental assistance. These taxpayer funds were intended to provide housing assistance to our most at-risk populations—low income, disabled, and elderly United States citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “Her actions were not a onetime mistake or accident. She lived under a stolen identity for over two decades, taking numerous actions and steps to further defraud the United States Government. HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs.”
If convicted on all counts at sentencing—which will be determined by federal district court judge according to established guidelines—Orovio-Hernandez faces significant prison time: up to five years for false representation of a Social Security number; up to ten years for making false statements on passport applications; mandatory two years consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft; up to ten years each for receiving stolen government property; up to five years for fraudulent voting; as well as supervised release periods and fines up to $250,000 per count or twice any gross gain or loss resulting from these crimes.
Upon completion of any imposed sentence, she is subject to deportation.
The announcement was made by officials from several agencies involved: U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; DSS SAC Nathan Hebert; SSA OIG SAC Amy Connelly; HUD OIG SAC Shawn Rice; Charmeka Parker from USDA-OIG Investigations – Northeast Region—with investigative support provided by United States Postal Inspection Service staff.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm are prosecuting this case.