News Summary
Truong Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, received a 25-month prison sentence for identity theft and passport fraud. For over 30 years, he illegally used his deceased cousin’s identity to obtain government documents and employment, subsequently leading to his arrest. Nguyen’s case highlights the serious risks posed by identity fraud to national security, with potential additional penalties looming.
Braintree – Truong Nguyen, a 40-year-old Vietnamese national, has been sentenced to 25 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of identity theft and passport fraud. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston, and upon completion of his prison term, Nguyen will face deportation proceedings.
Nguyen, who had been illegally residing in the United States for over 30 years, pleaded guilty in March 2024 to illegally using the identity of his deceased cousin, Henry Huang, who passed away at the age of 13 in 2002. He stole Huang’s identity to obtain various government-issued identification documents, including a Massachusetts driver’s license, Social Security card, and professional certifications.
The investigation into Nguyen’s activities began when his passport application submitted in March 2023 was flagged by the Boston Passport Agency. The agency discovered a death record matching the details provided in his application and subsequently forwarded the case to federal law enforcement. Nguyen was arrested in May 2024, initially identified as “John Doe” due to the confusion surrounding his true identity. His real name, Truong Nguyen, was confirmed during his plea hearing.
Nguyen’s journey to this point began with his legal entry into the United States in December 1979. His legal status was revoked in 1995 following a second-degree burglary conviction in 1991. Although he had been ordered deported, he remained in the country and continued to use false identities to evade authorities. In 2010, he faced further legal troubles when he was arrested for embezzling over $46,000 from the Norwell Firefighters Union, where he served as an officer.
Using Huang’s identity, Nguyen successfully acquired an EMT-Basic Certification in 2021 and an EMT-Paramedic Certification in 2023. He furthered his career by attending the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy under this false identity from November 2023 to January 2024. In January 2024, he was hired by the Melrose Fire Department, where he worked until his arrest.
Details from the investigation revealed that Nguyen had been issued various Massachusetts driver’s licenses using both his true name and Huang’s identity. In August 2018, he faced a fraud hearing related to these discrepancies, during which he claimed Huang’s identity was his true identity. This resulted in a six-month suspension of his license.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley has emphasized the seriousness of this case, highlighting the potential risks posed by identity fraud to national security and the integrity of identification systems. Matthew O’Brien from the Diplomatic Security Service underscored the importance of investigating such fraud, as it is critical for maintaining public safety.
Nguyen is scheduled for a follow-up sentencing on June 12, where he faces potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison for passport fraud, in addition to a mandatory minimum of two years for aggravated identity theft.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Wikipedia: Identity Theft
- Boston 25 News
- Google Search: Identity Theft Case
- MassLive
- Google Scholar: Identity Theft Law
- Patriot Ledger
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Identity Fraud
