NESTOR MURCIA-CARPIO , age 34, a citizen of Honduras, was charged today in a two-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for aggravated identity theft and making false statements in a passport application, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to court documents, on or about July 7, 2009, within the Eastern District of Louisiana, MURCIA possessed and used a Social Security card of another person, without lawful authority in relation to an offense of misuse of a Social Security Number. MURCIA further charged with willfully and knowingly making false statements in a passport application by providing a false name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number, to secure the issuance of a United States passport for his own use on or about October 8, 2010.

If convicted of aggravated identity theft, MURCIA faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of two (2) years that must run consecutive to a sentence for any other offense. MURCIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment on the making false statements in a passport count.

The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Louisiana State Police with assistance from the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service.

U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.

 

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