A Houston resident, Kenny Hoang Nguyen, aged 31, has entered a guilty plea for the possession of more than five identity documents intended for unlawful use. The plea was submitted on April 17, 2025, in the U.S. District Court, Gulfport. This felony may lead Nguyen to serve up to five years in prison, coupled with three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and possible restitution to victims. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2025, where a federal judge will consider various guidelines and statutory factors.
The incident dates back to May 2024, when a traffic stop by the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team on Interstate 10 revealed Nguyen driving carelessly. A subsequent search by a narcotics K9 team uncovered suspected methamphetamine and seven fake Texas driver’s licenses with Nguyen’s photo but other individuals' information. Various documents, including debit cards and mail, were also discovered, some concealed in a fake book labeled "Holy Bible." Further investigation identified 27 victims of Nguyen's unlawful data possession.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Jackson County authorities conducted further investigations. Multiple victims corroborated the unlawful activities matching Nguyen's possession of documents.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon commended the collaborative efforts of the Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
This legal development is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aiming to combat illegal immigration, dismantle criminal organizations, and curb violence through coordinated efforts via OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood.