Columbian Accused of Illegally Casting Vote in 2024 Election, Stealing $400,000 Federal Benefits
A Columbian woman living illegally in Massachusetts was indicted on May 22 for allegedly casting a fraudulent ballot in the 2024 election and receiving over $400,000 in federal benefits using a stolen identity.
Federal prosecutors stated that Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, had lived under a stolen identity for over two decades. She allegedly obtained nine state IDs, including a Massachusetts Real ID, and a U.S. passport.
Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in 2023 and cast an illegal ballot in the November 2024 election,
She was also accused of improperly receiving federal benefits, including $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance from October 2011 to January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 to January 2025; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from April 2005 to January 2025.
'For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity—including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need,' U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a
'The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a U.S. citizen,' the attorney stated. 'Government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully—not support an illegal alien without a right to be here.'
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According to the
Federal prosecutors said that officers had to breach both the front and bedroom door to make entry and arrest her. They suspected Orovio-Hernandez was preparing to flee, as she was found 'fully dressed with shoes on next to an open window' when they entered the house.
Orovio-Hernandez was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, making false statements on a U.S. passport application, aggravated identity theft, receiving stolen government funds, fraudulent voter registration, and fraudulent voting.
'The alleged crimes are an affront to every individual who plays by the rules and undermines many of the programs meant to support the most vulnerable members of our society,' Foley stated.
Orovio-Hernandez has remained in federal custody since February when she was
She will be subject to deportation after serving any possible sentence imposed, the DOJ stated.
The Epoch Times has reached out to her legal representative for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
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