Guatemalan Citizen Indicted for Possessing Fraudulent Immigration Documents

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Guatemalan man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of Fraudulent Immigration Documents.

Nelson Miraldo Lopez Y Lopez, a/k/a Nelson Lopez, age 27, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 4, 2011. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 13, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to an allegation that the defendant used false immigration documents in applying for a vehicle registration. The charge is merely an accusation, and Lopez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case. Lopez was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.