Fall River Man Charged with Passport Fraud and Identity Theft

BOSTON (WBSM) — A Fall River man faces charges related to passport fraud and other offenses.

Hector Eduardo Arias Mejia, 43, was charged with misuse of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement in an application for a United States passport.

According to court documents, Arias Mejia, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, applied for a United States passport and a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Real ID.

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In the application, he allegedly used the name and other biographical information of a resident of Puerto Rico.

Arias Mejia allegedly used the stolen identity when he was previously arrested, charged, and convicted in numerous state court cases.

Arias Mejia will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 20.

The charge of misuse of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

The charge of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Aggravated identity theft charges provide a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other penalty imposed, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.