Registry Employee Arrested, Allegedly Defrauded Illegal Immigrants

Federal and state investigators arrested a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles employee on Friday for allegedly defrauding illegal aliens.

Adriana Ferreira, 48, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested in Watertown Friday morning and charged with “numerous violations of Massachusetts law,” including corruption, bribery and larceny, according to a statement released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.

"The investigation revealed that Ferreira was using her position at the RMV to defraud illegal aliens," the statement says.

One of the state's approximately three dozen Registy branches is located in Danvers at Liberty Tree Mall. Investigators do not allege that Ferreira worked at the Danvers branch.

Illegal immigrants were led to believe they would receive driver’s licenses for a $2,000 fee, according to the statement. Illegal immigrants never received driver’s licenses from Ferreira or the RMV. Ferreira also claimed to have a contact at ICE who had the ability to delay an illegal alien's deportations for a fee.

“After an extensive investigation, Ferreira had no interaction or contact with any ICE employees,” the statement says.

Ferreira, a Brighton resident, was indicted on 27 counts, according to Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, including five counts of larceny by false pretenses, four counts of attempted larceny by false pretenses, 14 counts of bribery and corrupt bribery, and four counts of conspiracy to commit RMV fraud. She is due in Suffolk Superior Court on Friday.

The investigation began in March 2011 and involves several state and local agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Office of Professional Responsibility, Massachusetts State Police and the Somerville Police Department.