Federal Indictment in Vermont
A New York man is facing federal charges in Vermont after being accused of using fraudulent identity documents, including a counterfeit passport. Chad Maurer, 34, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle.
The charges stem from an investigation that led to Maurer’s arrest on April 11 in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. He was detained at a hearing on April 17 in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The federal grand jury in Vermont returned the indictment on March 13.
Prosecutors allege that Maurer used false identity documents, which could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft and up to ten years for the passport offense if convicted. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that Maurer is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation was led by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and the U.S. Marshals Service. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher acknowledged the crucial role these agencies played in the case. The DSS frequently handles passport fraud cases, working with other agencies to enforce federal identity protection laws.
Maurer remains in federal custody pending further proceedings in the District of Vermont. His next court appearance has not been scheduled, and all proceedings will take place in federal court in Burlington, Vermont. The ultimate sentence, if convicted, will depend on the facts presented at trial and judicial discretion under federal sentencing standards.
