Nicaraguan National Sentenced for Misuse of Social Security Number

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that, LEONARDO PARAMO-BARBAS ("PARAMO-BARBAS"), age 29, was sentenced on December 4, 2025, by United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance, after previously pleading guilty to misuse of a social security number in order to obtain employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

PARAMO-BARBAS was sentenced to time served and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, PARAMO-BARBAS falsely represented that a Social Security Number was assigned to him for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining employment, knowingly, willfully, and with intent to deceive, on July 20, 2022.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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.

Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the ICE Enforcement Removal Office, Homeland Security Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit.