Woman Lived Under Stolen Identity For More Than Two Decades, Obtained Real ID, & Illegally Voted in 2024 Presidential Election
Monday, February 9, 2026, 4:00 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor & Art Fletcher, Executive Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
BOSTON, MA.- A Colombian national unlawfully residing in the United States was convicted in federal court of multiple identity theft, fraud, and voter-related offenses after prosecutors proved she lived under a stolen identity for more than 20 years, illegally voted in a presidential election, and fraudulently obtained approximately $400,000 in federal benefits.
Federal prosecutors announced that Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, formerly of Boston, was found guilty following a five-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Boston. The jury convicted Orovio-Hernandez on seven federal counts, including identity theft, passport fraud, theft of government funds, and fraudulent voting.
According to court records and trial testimony, Orovio-Hernandez is a Colombian national with no lawful immigration status who assumed the identity of another individual more than two decades ago. Using that stolen identity, she successfully integrated into government systems designed for lawful residents and citizens, allowing her to obtain official identification, federal benefits, and access to the U.S. electoral process.
Extensive Fraud Scheme Spanning Decades;
Prosecutors detailed how Orovio-Hernandez used the stolen identity to obtain nine state-issued identification cards, including a Massachusetts Real ID, and applied for a United States passport by submitting false statements to federal authorities.
The jury found Orovio-Hernandez guilty of:
- One count of false representation of a Social Security number
- One count of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport
- One count of aggravated identity theft
- Three counts of receiving stolen government money or property
- One count of fraudulent voting
Authorities said Orovio-Hernandez improperly received approximately $400,000 in federal benefits over a period spanning nearly two decades. That total included:
- $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits received from October 2011 through January 2025
- $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits received from July 2014 through January 2025
- $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits received from April 2005 through January 2025
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that the stolen identity was used consistently across state and federal systems, allowing Orovio-Hernandez to avoid detection while receiving taxpayer-funded assistance she was not legally entitled to receive.
Fraudulent Voting In The 2024 Presidential Election;
In addition to financial fraud, the jury found that Orovio-Hernandez used the stolen identity to cast a fraudulent ballot in the November 2024 presidential election.
Federal officials said the fraudulent voting charge was supported by voter registration records and ballot evidence introduced at trial. Prosecutors emphasized that voting in U.S. elections is restricted to eligible U.S. citizens and that fraudulent voting undermines election integrity and public confidence in the democratic process.
Federal Custody Since Early 2025;
Orovio-Hernandez was initially charged in February 2025 and later named in a superseding indictment in May 2025, which expanded the scope of the allegations. She has remained in federal custody since her initial arrest.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Orovio-Hernandez faces significant prison time, including mandatory penalties associated with aggravated identity theft, which carries a required consecutive sentence under federal law.
Broader Implications;
Federal officials said the case highlights vulnerabilities in identity verification systems and the long-term consequences of identity theft, particularly when stolen identities are used to access government benefits, official identification, and the U.S. electoral system.
“This conviction demonstrates the seriousness with which the Department of Justice treats identity fraud, benefit theft, and election-related crimes,” prosecutors said following the verdict.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, and edited by Art Fletcher, and all facts in this article are based on federal court records, trial testimony, and official statements released following the conviction. Englebrook Independent News reports verified information and does not speculate beyond the evidence presented in court.
