United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

FORMER MANCHESTER RESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO PASSPORT FRAUD CHARGE

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HERIBERTO FERNANDEZ-BARRIENTOS, 21, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Manchester, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to one count of making a false statement on an application for a United States passport.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 30, 2009, FERNANDEZ-BARRIENTOS used the identity of another individual when he applied for a United States passport at a U.S. Post Office in Norwalk.

Judge Burns has scheduled sentencing for January 28, 2011, at which time FERNANDEZ-BARRIENTOS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

FERNANDEZ-BARRIENTOS has been detained in state custody on drug charges since September 2009.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alina P. Reynolds.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov