Dominican National Charged with Fentanyl Distribution, Social Security Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft

BOSTON – A Dominican national was indicted today with fentanyl distribution, Social Security fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Domingo Garcia Suero, 53, a Dominican national residing in Haverhill, was indicted on five counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl, two counts of Social Security account number fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Garcia Suero appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell.  

The indictment alleges that on five occasions during in the fall of 2017, Garcia Suero sold and possessed fentanyl for sale. Garcia Suero also allegedly filed applications with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to renew his driver’s license and with MassHealth, in which he provided a name and a social security account number belonging to a United States citizen from Puerto Rico.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl in excess of 40 grams provides for a minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of Social Security fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of two years to run consecutive to any other sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Albert Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Office; and Haverhill Police Chief Alan DeNaro made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; the Boston Field Office of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service; and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxim Grinberg of Lelling’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.