Rochester Woman Charged with Obtaining Passport Through Fraud

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jennifer Gilbert, 47, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making false statements in a passport application. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the matter, stated that Gilbert applied for a passport in 2007 using the name and identification of another individual, Lena B.W. In May 2014, Lena B.W. applied for a passport for herself which triggered a review of the 2007 application Gilbert submitted and resulted in defendant’s fraud being discovered.

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents the United States Department of State, under the direction of William Ferrari.

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson. Gilbert is due back in court on December 3, 2014, at 9:00 am.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.