MEXICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR STEALING IDENTITY OF U.S. CITIZEN

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - Alfredo Mendoza Montero, 45, of Mexico, was sentenced to two years and one day in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to charges of passport fraud, false impersonation of a citizen, and aggravated identity theft. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "Thanks to the investigative work of our incredible federal law enforcement partners, this criminal illegal alien will be held accountable for stealing the identity of a U.S. citizen that he used to conceal his unlawful presence in our country. Prison and a swift removal from our country awaits him, and should be a warning to others that violations of our immigration laws will not go unpunished."

Court documents reflect that Montero illegally entered the United States in 2019 and purchased identification documents belonging to a real American citizen. He knowingly used those documents to fraudulently apply for a United States passport in 2022 and obtain a Florida driver's license in 2023. Montero lived under that assumed citizen's identity while living in the Pensacola area until he was arrested by federal authorities on April 1, 2025.

"Safeguarding U.S. passports and visas is critical to the Diplomatic Security Service mission and supporting the Trump administration's goal to make America safer," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan McSeveney of the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service Miami Field Office. "We are firmly committed to prosecuting criminals who misuse U.S. travel documents to commit fraud, further criminal activity, and endanger the security of our nation."

"This sentencing highlights the seriousness of identity theft, and the extent individuals will go to falsely claim U.S. citizenship to obtain government credentials." said Acting Inspector General Michelle L. Anderson. "By working closely with our law enforcement partners, SSA OIG helped uncover the true victim in this case-a U.S. citizen living in Puerto Rico-who had their identity misused. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of Social Security records and ensuring that those who commit identity-related crimes are brought to justice."

"Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating, long-lasting effects on the lives of its victims," said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. "It is not a victimless crime; it affects real people, causing emotional distress, financial instability, and legal complications that can take years to resolve. HSI is committed to protecting the integrity of U.S. identification systems and safeguarding the personal information of American citizens."

The sentence was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.