Undocumented Colombian National in Houston Stole $588K in Government Benefits

A 39-year-old Colombian national residing illegally in Houston has been charged with theft of government funds, false representation of a U.S. citizen, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced.

Javier Alfonso Nunez Suarez is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m.

According to the now-unsealed indictment, returned on May 15, Suarez fraudulently applied for and received Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits in February 2016 by falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. As a result, he allegedly also qualified for and received Medicaid benefits.

Suarez is accused of continuing to collect both SSA disability and Medicaid payments until his arrest, resulting in a total theft of government funds exceeding $588,000.

If convicted, Suarez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each of the main charges. He also faces a mandatory consecutive two-year prison term for the aggravated identity theft charge.

The Social Security Administration–Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen M. Lansden is prosecuting.