Colombian illegal immigrant who voted in 2024 election convicted of identity theft, benefit fraud

59-year-old Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez was convicted Friday following a five-day trial in Boston. She was found guilty of identity theft offenses, benefit fraud, and voter fraud committed while using a stolen identity.

According to the Department of Justice, Orovio-Hernandez was convicted 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; and one count of fraudulent voting.”

Orovio-Hernandez illegally resided in the United States for more than two decades. During that time, she obtained nine state-issued identification cards using the stolen identity, including a REAL ID in Massachusetts, and applied for a United States passport. Authorities said she also cast a fraudulent ballot in the 2024 presidential election.

The woman had received roughly $400,000 in federal benefits, including rental assistance, social security disability, and SNAP.

“Ms. Orovio-Hernandez has lived in this country illegally for two decades, during which time she repeatedly made false statements, stole, committed fraud and even voted illegally,” said US Attorney Leah B. Foley in a statement. “Her repeated criminal acts are a slap in the face to all those who come into this country legally and abide by our laws. The air of entitlement is astounding. This case is yet another example of our commitment to rooting out those who violate our immigration laws and steal from United States Citizens.”

The charges carry potential sentences of multiple years in prison. Orovio-Hernandez is also subject to deportation following completion of any sentence imposed.