U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest and charging of Gendry Amilcar Niz-Niz, a 25-year-old Guatemalan national, with making a false statement. The charge could result in a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. Henning and Sasha Mascarenhas, who are handling the case, detailed that on March 16, 2025, at around 4:30 p.m., Niz-Niz was stopped on Main Street in Lockport for multiple vehicle and traffic violations. The Lockport Police Department requested assistance from U.S. Border Patrol after Niz-Niz presented an identification card from the Republic of Guatemala Department of Transportation under the name Juan Martinez-Chavez.
When questioned by a U.S. Border Patrol agent about his name and citizenship, Niz-Niz claimed to be "Juan Martinez." The identification card's photo matched him; however, immigration checks showed no legal entry into the United States under that identity. Niz-Niz admitted to entering the country illegally and mentioned it was his first encounter with immigration authorities. He was subsequently taken into custody.
Further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested under his real name in Tucson, Arizona in November 2021.
The complaint resulted from investigations conducted by the Lockport Police Department, led by Chief Steven Abbott, and U.S. Border Patrol under Patrol Agent-in-Charge Martin B. Coombs.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation; the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.