BOSTON — A Salem man appeared in federal court in Boston, charged with using a U.S. citizen's stolen identity to collect about $16,205 in MassHealth benefits, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Massachusetts.

Cledis German Romero, 40, a Dominican national whom prosecutors described as living in the country unlawfully, is charged with health care benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was ordered held pending further proceedings, prosecutors said.

According to charging documents, German Romero used the stolen identity to obtain Massachusetts driver's licenses and health care benefits, including the MassHealth payments.

Prosecutors also allege he used the same identity when he was arrested several times in Massachusetts, and that convictions there, including for resisting arrest and conspiracy to violate drug laws, were entered under the other man's name.

The health care charge carries up to five years in prison, and aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence that must be served after any other prison term, prosecutors said.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Homeland Security Investigations said German Romero had been charged.

The charges are allegations, and German Romero is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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