Mexican National Indicted for Passport Fraud

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 3, 2025, Erik J. Paz-Zavaleta (Age: 46), who resides in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was arraigned on a previously sealed indictment that charges Paz-Zavaleta for making a false statement in the application for a passport in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542.

The indictment alleges that on or about March 7, 2022, Paz-Zavaleta "willfully and knowingly made a false statement in the application for a passport" and that he "used another person's identity" to obtain a passport "under the authority of the United States." If convicted Paz-Zavaleta faces up to 10 years' imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years' of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Kaukauna Police Department.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For further information contact:

Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero

(414) 297-1700

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