Illegal Immigrant Arrested for Identity Theft
An unauthorized immigrant reportedly used a child’s identity for several years, which led to complications in accessing Medicaid insurance for the child.
Antonio de Jesús Moreno Escobar, residing in Texas, was apprehended by law enforcement after it was discovered that he had used fraudulent documents to secure employment and obtain medical benefits. This news was shared by Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, marking another step in his ongoing efforts to tackle illegal immigration fraud within the state.
“This case is a troubling example of how illegal immigrants exploit our system, negatively impacting innocent Texans and depriving children of essential health care,” Paxton stated.
He further expressed his commitment to ensuring that those who take advantage of the system and target families face legal consequences.
According to Paxton, Escobar reportedly purchased fake documents for $120, including a stolen Social Security number and a fraudulent green card, along with a Texas ID card. Over a span of three years, he utilized the identity of a 13-year-old to work at seven different businesses in the Houston area.
The fraudulent activities came to light when the child’s mother was informed that her Medicaid coverage was set to be terminated due to income being falsely reported in her son’s name. Currently, Escobar is in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The investigation was carried out by the Texas Medicaid Fraud Enforcement Unit, which operates as a division within the Texas Attorney General’s Office. This unit focuses on investigating criminal fraud committed by Medicaid providers and instances of abuse in Medicaid-funded facilities. They’ve played a vital role in supporting local and federal agencies with legal actions.
Since its inception in 2020, the Texas Medicaid Fraud Enforcement Unit has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and restitution for Texas taxpayers. Funding for this unit comes largely from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, amounting to approximately $22.8 million in grants for the 2024 fiscal year.
The remaining funding, totaling around $7.6 million, is provided by the State of Texas. Over the last five years, the unit has achieved a notable return on investment of nearly 2,900 percent for Texas taxpayers.
Attorney General Paxton, known for his firm stance on immigration issues, has frequently pursued allegations of foreign nationals voting unlawfully in U.S. elections and has worked towards the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Recently, Texas prosecutors announced an extensive investigation involving around 100 suspected non-citizens accused of casting more than 200 votes in the 2020 and 2022 elections. Paxton has also taken legal action against Harris County authorities, accusing them of misuse of over $1.3 million in taxpayer money to shield undocumented immigrants from deportation. Additionally, a group alleged to have registered illegal immigrants to vote was recently arrested.
First elected in 2014, Paxton has served as state attorney general for a decade. Texas prosecutors are currently engaged in efforts against Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
