A Melrose firefighter is facing criminal charges in connection with an investigation into the theft of his cousin’s identity, federal investigators said in court documents.
The man, referred to as “John Doe” by investigators in court documents because his real identity is unknown, is accused of making false statements in his application for a U.S. passport and aggravated identity theft, according to a criminal complaint signed by DSS Special Agent Rachel . Malcolm.
In the complaint, investigators allege Doe stole the identity of his cousin, Henry Huang, who died in 2002, in order to obtain a driver’s license and passport, gain entry to the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, and enroll and eventually work with the Melrose Fire Department in January 2024.
Doe, who entered the United States from Vietnam in December 1979, was ordered deported in February 1995 after failing to appear for a deportation hearing following convictions on charges of attempted crime, public speaking, theft and embezzlement, the complaint said.
Although deportation was ordered, investigation revealed that Doe was not physically deported to Vietnam.
Doe is also accused of using the name Truong Nguyen.
Using the alias Nguyen, Doe was arrested in 2010 for stealing more than $46,000 from the Norwell Firefighters Union while working as an officer of the union, the complaint said.
Before Doe was hired by the Melrose Fire Department, he obtained a Massachusetts EMT-Basic certification under Huang’s name, the complaint showed.
As of Friday morning, Huang was still listed on the list of Melrose Firefighters Local 1617.
Read the full complaint below:
Melrose Fire Complaint 5/24/24 by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd
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