Previously Deported Man Sentenced for Reentering the United States Illegally
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
A man previously deported to the Dominican Republic was sentenced on Tuesday for illegal reentry, identity theft, healthcare and welfare fraud, and misuse of social security numbers.
Carlos Jose Portes-Ortiz, 38, a.k.a. Juan Carlos Mendieta Vega, a.k.a. Anthony Clausell Rivera, a.k.a. Jose Jimenez Agosto, a.k.a. Willian Acevedo Gil, a.k.a. Allison Gabriel was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison after pleading guilty on October 10.
Portes-Ortiz was deported from the United States in February 2009, after completing a federal prison sentence imposed in June 2007 for conspiracy to import 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPortes-Ortiz was arrested in June 2005 at Newark Liberty International Airport after arriving from the Dominican Republic.
The Investigation
In March 2017, Portes-Ortiz was arrested in Dedham, Mass., after attempting to purchase more than $1,000 worth of iPhone and iPad equipment using a driver’s license depicting his photograph and a credit card both in the name of a female.
At the time of his arrest, Portes-Ortiz was found to be in possession of a Rhode Island Neighborhood Health Plan card, a Rhode Island EBT card for SNAP benefits, a Rhode Island identification card, a Puerto Rican driver’s license, and a bank debit card. Some of the cards seized from Portes-Ortiz contained his photograph but all were in the names of others than his own.
It was later determined through fingerprints that the person arrested was actually Portes-Ortiz.
An investigation led by agents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations determined that Portes-Ortiz used multiple names and stolen personal identifying information to gain Rhode Island ID cards, as well as the identity of another person to obtain Medicaid and health care benefits, including medical, pharmaceutical and dental services; and EBT cards and SNAP benefits.
The investigation revealed that Portes-Ortiz was employed at a retail store while, at the same time, fraudulently obtaining federal program benefits and services using a stolen identity and identifying information.
At sentencing, Portes-Ortiz was ordered to pay restitution of approximately $13,000.
Portes-Ortiz, has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on June 27, 2018.
He faces deportation proceedings upon completion of his term of incarceration.
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