Lynn Man Arrested for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

BOSTON – A Lynn man has been arrested and charged in connection with using a stolen identity to rent an apartment, for which he allegedly made no rent payments.  

Steeve Jean, 36, was charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and unauthorized use of a Social Security number. Jean will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 4 p.m. today.

According to the charging documents, from September 2021 through June 2022, Jean rented an apartment in Lynn under an assumed name. Jean allegedly paid no rent for the apartment and left when the apartment complex began steps to evict him. It is further alleged that, while serving a state prison sentence in April 2021, Jean submitted two fraudulent federal Paycheck Protection Program loan applications claiming business losses for a business that did not exist.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft, if convicted, provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unauthorized use of a Social Security number, if convicted, provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Tolkoff of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.