MIAMI — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Florida, Southern), published as received.
MIAMI – A Dominican national has been sentenced to federal prison for using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain more than $100,000 in Social Security disability benefits and health care services through Medicare.
Senior U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck sentenced Juan Francisco De La Cruz Mejia, 38, of Miami Springs, to 52 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft of government funds, Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
“This defendant stole an American citizen's identity and used it to siphon taxpayer-funded benefits for years,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Social Security and Medicare exist to serve eligible beneficiaries, not fraudsters. The Southern District of Florida will continue to prosecute those who steal public benefits, abuse government programs, and exploit the trust of American taxpayers.”
“This sentencing demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of Social Security programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Conor Washington of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Eastern CDI Division. “The defendant, a foreign national unlawfully present in the United States, stole an American citizen’s Social Security number and used it to illegally receive more than $100,000 in Social Security benefits. SSA OIG will continue to aggressively investigate benefit fraud schemes to safeguard taxpayer funds and protect the public.”
“Identity theft and health care fraud undermine the integrity of federal health care programs that exist to serve some of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals,” said Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “By stealing another person’s identity to improperly access Medicare benefits, the defendant siphoned taxpayer-funded resources meant to care for legitimate Medicare enrollees. HHS-OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud federal health care programs.”
According to court records, beginning in February 2021, De La Cruz Mejia unlawfully used the name and Social Security number of another individual to obtain Social Security Title II disability benefits to which he was not entitled. He continued the scheme for more than four years, causing the Social Security Administration to suffer losses exceeding $105,000.
Between February 2021 and August 2025, De La Cruz Mejia received and used $105,057.90 in Social Security disability benefits obtained through stolen identity. In April 2021, he also used the same identity to enroll in Medicare.
By fraudulently obtaining Medicare coverage, De La Cruz Mejia received medical services and prescriptions drugs under another person’s identity, causing health care providers to submit claims to Medicare for services rendered to him. The claims — including Medicare Parts A, B, and D benefits and durable medical equipment — totaled approximately $3.4 million in billed charges, resulting in Medicare payments of approximately $108,057.63.
SSA OIG and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikole Hiciano prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-20460.
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