Worcester Man Indicted on Identity Theft and Covid-Relief Fraud
A Dominican national lawfully residing in Worcester has been indicted on five counts of theft of government money and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
Worcester, MA — The United States Attorney’s Office announced that a Dominican national lawfully residing in Worcester has been indicted on charges related to Covid-relief fraud.
Felix Mercedes-Castillo, 35, was indicted on five counts of theft of government money and three counts of aggravated identity theft. The defendant is currently serving a state prison sentence for unrelated offenses and will appear in federal court in Worcester at a later date.
The indictments allege that the defendant used other peoples’ identities – including a deceased individual – to fraudulently obtain $137,100 in emergency rental assistance funds intended to provide housing assistance for individuals unable to pay rent due to financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
For more information, see the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release.
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