A Houston man living in the country illegally has been arrested for identity theft that left a Texas teenager without crucial healthcare benefits, according to state officials.
Antonio De Jesus Moreno Escobar was apprehended after allegedly stealing the identity of a minor from Hutto, Texas. Authorities say the theft resulted in the child losing access to Medicaid benefits while Escobar used the stolen information to gain employment at seven different businesses across the Houston area over a three-year period.
Low-Cost Documents, High-Impact Consequences
How much does it cost to steal someone’s identity? In this case, just $120. That’s what Escobar reportedly paid for a package of falsified documents that included a stolen Social Security number, Texas ID card, and a fraudulent green card, according to investigators cited by local media.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton didn’t mince words about the case. “This case is a disturbing example of how illegal aliens drain our resources, hurt innocent Texans, and even deprive children of vital healthcare,” said Paxton. “My office will ensure that illegal aliens who exploit our systems and target our families face the full force of the law.”
The victim, a minor whose identity remains protected, reportedly lost access to essential Medicaid benefits as a direct result of the identity theft. Meanwhile, Escobar allegedly leveraged the stolen credentials to secure employment across multiple businesses in the Houston metropolitan area.
Part of a Larger Effort
This arrest comes amid increased scrutiny of Medicaid fraud in Texas. The state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has been aggressively pursuing cases of fraud and abuse within the healthcare system.
Since 2020, the MFCU has recovered more than $1 billion in settlements, judgments, and restitution for Texas taxpayers, officials report. The unit operates with a mixed funding model — 75% from federal sources and 25% from state coffers.
For the 2024 fiscal year, this translates to approximately $22.8 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, complemented by roughly $7.6 million from the State of Texas.
That investment appears to be paying dividends. The Attorney General’s office claims an extraordinary return on investment of 2,889 percent for Texas taxpayers over the past five years through the MFCU’s efforts.
But beyond the numbers lies a more personal story — a child denied healthcare benefits because someone else was using their identity. For investigators, cases like Escobar’s represent not just financial fraud but a direct impact on vulnerable Texans’ ability to access essential services.
Authorities have not yet released details about potential additional charges or when Escobar will appear in court.
