Luis Mauafrewiny Aviles Matias, also known as Leiver Artur Ponce Leon and Juan Perez Chavez, has pleaded guilty to making a false claim of United States citizenship. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo in Buffalo, New York. Matias, a 57-year-old citizen of Ecuador, received a six-month prison sentence from U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff explained that on November 12, 2024, Matias attempted to enter the United States at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry using a fraudulent Puerto Rican driver's license for identification. When questioned about his citizenship status, Matias nodded affirmatively to being a U.S. citizen.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and combating transnational criminal organizations and cartels. The operation involves resources from the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.