anchorage police officer charged with passport fraud
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, April 22, 2011, that Rafael Mora-Lopez, also known as Rafael Espinosa, age 51, of Anchorage, has been charged with passport fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1542. The defendant worked as an Anchorage police officer under the name Rafael Espinoza.
Mora-Lopez is scheduled to be arraigned on the charge, which carries a maximum ten-year sentence, before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Roberts at 3:00 pm today.
Mr. Mora-Lopez’ use of a false name was discovered by agents of the State Department Diplomatic Security Service. Further investigation revealed that the individual using the name Rafael Espinoza was, in fact, Rafael Mora-Lopez. From that discovery just a day ago federal agents have been working closely with the Anchorage Police Department to evaluate the facts.
The Department of State investigation is ongoing, and has been joined by Homeland Security Investigations and the Anchorage Police Department. Members of all three agencies executed a search warrant at the Anchorage home of Mora-Lopez last night. Documents confirming Mora-Lopez’s true identity were recovered.
The charges in the information filed in this case are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
