A Mexican national, Jose Arturo Perez Ramirez, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The charges include making a false claim to U.S. citizenship, providing a false statement in a passport application, and aggravated identity theft.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the indictment accuses Perez Ramirez of applying for a U.S. passport using another individual's name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number to falsely claim U.S. citizenship. It is further alleged that he used various forms of identification belonging to another person, such as a state-issued ID card and birth certificate.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DOS-DSS) and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is handling the prosecution.
Under federal law, the offenses carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, followed by supervised release and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by the judge based on federal sentencing statutes and guidelines if Perez Ramirez is found guilty.
It is important to note that indictments are merely allegations, and all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.