Authorities in Texas have taken down an illegal immigrant accused of a brazen identity theft scheme that robbed a young boy of his Medicaid coverage while lining the perpetrator’s pockets through fraudulent jobs and benefits.
Antonio De Jesus Moreno Escobar, who had been residing in the state unlawfully, allegedly purchased fake documents—including a stolen Social Security number, a phony green card, and a Texas ID card—for just $120. He then assumed the identity of a 13-year-old boy from Hutto to land seven different jobs in the Houston area over a three-year period.
The fraud came to light when the boy’s mother received notice that his Medicaid benefits were being cut off due to reported income that didn’t belong to him. Escobar now faces charges and is being held under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
“This case is a disturbing example of how illegal aliens drain our resources, hurt innocent Texans, and even deprive children of vital healthcare,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“My office will ensure that illegal aliens who exploit our systems and target our families face the full force of the law,” Paxton added.
The Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, part of Paxton’s office, led the investigation. This unit has clawed back over $1 billion in settlements, judgments, and restitution for Texas taxpayers since 2020, delivering a staggering 2,889 percent return on investment over the past five years.
Paxton’s aggressive stance on immigration enforcement extends beyond this case. Just days before Escobar’s arrest on November 12, 2025, Paxton filed lawsuits against Harris County officials for diverting more than $1.3 million in taxpayer funds to shield illegal immigrants from deportation and against a group accused of registering non-citizens to vote illegally. Earlier in the year, his office launched probes into over 100 suspected non-citizens who allegedly voted in recent elections, casting more than 200 ballots.
Cases like Escobar’s point to a deeper rot in the system, where porous borders invite not just entry but exploitation of American safety nets meant for citizens. Federal data from the Social Security Administration reveals that identity theft tied to unauthorized immigrants costs billions annually, with thousands of mismatched Social Security numbers linked to wage reporting each year. In Texas alone, Medicaid fraud investigations have surged, often uncovering networks that prey on vulnerable children and families to siphon public funds.
Escobar’s scheme didn’t just steal a child’s future security—it exposed how easily these vulnerabilities are abused when enforcement lags. As Paxton ramps up his efforts, including a bid to challenge Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 midterms, the push to seal the borders and protect taxpayer dollars gains urgency. Texans, already burdened by rising costs, deserve safeguards against such predatory acts that erode trust in government programs.
