The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported that U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has charged 50 people, including a Worcester man, with running an identity-trafficking ring. According to federal court documents, the ring sold the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens to individuals over a dozen cities around the country.
The investigation, which started in April 2009, identified "conspirators in 15 states and Puerto Rico [who] 'trafficked the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens, corresponding Social Security cards, Puerto Rico birth certificates and other identification documents to undocumented aliens and others residing in the United States.'"
Rafael Rivera Figueroa, a Worcester resident, has been accused of working as an "identity broker" within the ring. The indictment revealed that once Puerto Rican identities were stolen, members of the ring would sell sets of Social Security cards and birth certificates for $700-$2,500 per set. The customers would allegedly use the sets of documents to apply for state driver's licenses, U.S. passports, or to commit financial fraud.
Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.
