Source: Office of United States Attorneys
HOUSTON – A 39-year-old Columbian national illegally residing in Houston has been charged for theft of government funds, false representation of a U.S. citizen and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Javier Alfonso Nunez Suarez is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m.
The now unsealed indictment, returned May 15, alleges Suarez fraudulently applied for and obtained Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits in February 2016 by impersonating a U.S. citizen. Suarez then allegedly qualified for Medicaid benefits.
According to the charges. Suarez continued receiving both SSA disability and Medicaid benefits until his arrest, resulting in a total theft of government funds exceeding $588,000.
If convicted, Suarez faces up to 10 years imprisonment as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each of the charges. He also faces an additional two years in prison for aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
SSA-Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. 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.