A 56-year-old Colombian national living illegally in Houston has been charged with theft of government funds, false representation of a U.S. citizen, and aggravated identity theft, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Authorities have not confirmed the individual’s real identity but stated he was most recently known as Johnny Mina Rodriguez. He is scheduled for his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.
An indictment unsealed on November 5 alleges that the individual fraudulently applied for and received Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits starting in June 2011 by pretending to be a U.S. citizen. The charges state that he continued to receive these benefits until his recent arrest, resulting in the theft of over $150,000 in government funds.
If found guilty, the defendant could face up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each charge. There is also an additional mandatory two-year prison term for aggravated identity theft, which would be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The investigation was led by the SSA-Office of the Inspector General, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen M. Lansden is prosecuting the case.
“An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law,” according to the press release from authorities.
