Man Convicted for Role in Commercial Learner’s Permit Scam Using Bluetooth

A Massachusetts man was convicted last week in federal court in Boston for engaging in a scheme in which he provided an applicant with the answers to the state’s commercial drivers learner’s permit exam.

Frank Castro was convicted of unlawful production of an identification document, according to U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. A federal district court scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2026. Castro was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.

Massachusetts requires drivers to obtain a learner’s permit before they can obtaining a commercial driver’s license from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

Prosecutors said that in October 2021, Castro told an undercover agent that he could help him obtain a permit for $3,000. Castro explained to the undercover agent that the agent would need to sneak a Bluetooth device into the testing area at the RMV, place the device into his ear, then cover it with headphones used during the exam. Castro explained that once connected via Bluetooth he would be able to hear the audio questions and provide the undercover agent with the correct answers.

On or about Dec. 22, 2021, the undercover agent deposited $3,000 into Castro’s bank account before proceeding to the RMV in Danvers to take the exam. Castro provided the exam answers to the undercover agent via the Bluetooth connection in real time during the exam. The undercover agent passed the exam with Castro’s unlawful assistance and received a permit.

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