Prosecutors say Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez collected around $400,000 in stolen benefits and obtained multiple state IDs.
An undocumented Colombian woman living in Boston was convicted in federal court on Tuesday of identity theft and voter fraud after prosecutors said she used a fake identity to get government benefits, several state IDs, and an application for a US passport, federal prosecutors announced.
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, who has been living in the United States without legal status for 20 years, was found guilty of several identity theft-related offenses, including falsely using a Social Security number, making a false statement on a U.S. passport application, aggravated identity theft, receiving stolen government funds, and fraudulent voting, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Orovio-Hernandez was charged in May 2025 with a superseding indictment, which followed an earlier indictment filed after her arrest in February 2025. She has been in federal custody since then.
Prosecutors claim Orovio-Hernandez used the false name to obtain nine state-issued identification cards, including a Massachusetts Real ID, apply for a United States passport, and cast a fraudulent ballot in the November 2024 presidential election.
She also earned about $400,000 in federal benefits, which included nearly $260,000 in Section 8 assistance, $101,000 in Social Security disability payments, and more than $43,000 in SNAP benefits.
“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,” U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement.
“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,” Foley said.
The charges are punishable by five to ten years in jail, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Prosecutors stated that the charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year jail term to be served consecutively.
Prosecutors said Orovio-Hernandez will be deported once he completes any prison sentence.
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