A Mexican national, Carlos Bedolla Sanchez, aged 42, has pleaded guilty to charges of using a U.S. citizen's identity to fraudulently obtain a passport and other identification documents. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Sanchez, who resided illegally in Houston, admitted guilt to making false statements on passport applications and committing aggravated identity theft. In May 2022, he attempted to renew an expired passport issued in 2009 under the identity of a Puerto Rican-born U.S. citizen. As part of this fraudulent activity, Sanchez used the victim's name, Social Security number, date of birth, and birthplace on official documents while falsely claiming U.S. citizenship or non-citizen nationality.
U.S. Attorney Ganjei highlighted the severity of such crimes: “Nearly everyone knows somebody who has had their identity stolen or perhaps has even been a victim themselves,” said Ganjei. “The theft of identity for financial gain is bad enough, but stealing a person’s identity to make other fraudulent identification documents raises tremendous public safety and national security concerns. Let this case be a warning to those with ideas similar to Mr. Sanchez.”
Investigations revealed that Sanchez began exploiting the victim's identity around March 2009 to acquire state driver's licenses and other forms of U.S.-issued identification.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison accepted Sanchez's plea and scheduled sentencing for June 3rd. At sentencing, Sanchez could face up to ten years in prison for the false statement conviction along with an additional mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft; these sentences must be served consecutively.
Sanchez remains in custody awaiting his sentencing hearing.
The investigation was carried out by the Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service with Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Franklyn prosecuting the case.