Four Individuals Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Social Security Misuse, Aggravated Identity Theft and Forced Labor

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Puerto Rico

On June 10, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment charging six individuals with conspiracy to commit identity theft, wire fraud, bank fraud, social security misuse, aggravated identity theft, and forced labor. The following agencies partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate the case and execute the arrests today: Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the United States Secret Service. 

According to court documents, defendants

1. Josué A. Marrero-Otero (fugitive)
2. Yesenia Marrero-Collazo (arrested)
3. Anthony Marrero-Rosario (arrested)
4. Vivian D. Marrero-Ginés  (arrested)
5. José A. Vilorio-Figuereo  (arrested)

conspired with each other and a sixth defendant (not identified publicly or arrested) to produce and transfer identification documents, authentication features and false identification documents including, Puerto Rico birth certificates, social security cards, and Puerto Rico driver’s license, that appeared to have been issued by or under the authority of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and were in and affected interstate commerce, knowing that such documents and features were stolen and produced without lawful authority. As noted above, defendant Josué A. Marrero-Otero remains a fugitive from justice. 

To execute the fraudulent scheme, defendant Anthony Marrero-Rosario produced the documents with identifying information belonging to real individuals, provided them to his brother Josué A. Marrero-Otero who knowingly transferred and used the falsified documents to fraudulently apply for bank loans with Bank A and Bank B using the stolen identities. Marrero-Otero and his partner Yesenia Marrero-Collazo forced vulnerable victims to fraudulently apply for bank loans with Bank A and Bank B using the stolen identities; and along with defendant Vivian D. Marrero-Ginés forced vulnerable victims to fraudulently apply for lines of credit with Bank C and Bank D and retail stores, using the stolen identities. The defendants obtained approximately $114,559.49 in money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.

Josué A. Marrero-Otero and Yesenia Marrero-Collazo are facing one count of forced labor. From September 2023 through December 2023, these defendants forced Victim-1 through threats of physical violence to submit false information using false and fraudulent identification documents to obtain commercial credit and property for the benefit of Marrero-Otero and Marrero-Collazo. 

Defendant José A. Vilorio-Figuereo participated in the conspiracy and knowingly transferred false identification documents by mail to the continental United States.

“Financial fraud is one of the largest challenges facing American citizens and businesses today. Prevention and prosecution of crimes of this nature will remain a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said United States Attorney, W. Stephen Muldrow. “The defendants took advantage of vulnerable victims and used them to get loans and credit lines fraudulently, to enrich themselves. We understand there may be more victims, so if you suspect you could be one, or know about other victims, please contact HSI at (787) 729-6969 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate HSI San Juan’s steadfast commitment to protecting our communities from those who exploit the most vulnerable for financial gain,” said Yariel Ramos, HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge. “This criminal organization not only stole identities and defrauded financial institutions, it preyed on people experiencing homelessness and coerced them into participating in its schemes. Thanks to the outstanding collaboration between our federal, state, and local partners, we have dismantled a dangerous network and sent a clear message that those who engage in identity theft, document fraud, and forced labor will be aggressively investigated and brought to justice.” 

“In this case vulnerable individuals were exploited through identity theft, fraud, and coercion for personal gain,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The FBI remains committed to protecting our communities from those who seek to profit by manipulating and victimizing others, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who seek to enrich themselves through fraud, and the victimization vulnerable members of our communities.” The defendants will make their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mariana Bauzá-Almonte of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez from the Social Security Administration is prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.