United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Nelson Miraldo Lopez Y Lopez, a/k/a Nelson Lopez, age 27, a citizen of Guatemala, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on December 12, 2011, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with Possession of Fraudulent Immigration Documents. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The charge arose when Lopez completed motor vehicle registration documents at the Jerauld County Treasurer's Office on November 15, 2010. One of the forms of identification he used was a Permanent Resident Card bearing the name Nelson Lopez. The number on the card is valid, but it was issued in another name. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for January 10, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
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