Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PORTLAND, Maine: A Manchester, New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court records, from at least March 2019 through March 2022, Dominic Barbosa (aka, Christopher Barnhart), 29, obtained the identifications of individuals without their knowledge or consent. Barbosa stole mail in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, including bank account statements, tax returns, and other documents containing others’ means of identification. He kept records of that information to use in the scheme. As part of the scheme, Barbosa would apply for duplicate licenses for others, often changing the address, and then use the stolen identification information and duplicate driver’s licenses to open bank accounts, credit card accounts and lines of credit in others’ names. He also used the stolen identifications to make purchases or enter into contracts. When questioned by a United States Postal Inspector, Barbosa stated he had a cloud database with stolen identities, and investigators in Massachusetts found bins of mail and photocopies of identifying information in a storage unit Barbosa rented.
Barbosa faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine up to the greater of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss on one count of wire fraud. He faces a minimum of two years, to be served consecutively to any other sentenced imposed, and a fine up to $250,000 on the aggravated identity theft charge. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, South Berwick Police Department, Litchfield Police Department (NH), North Reading Police Department (MA), Salem Police Department (NH), United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
###