Rapid City Man Pleads Guilty to Using Fraudulent Immigration Document

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Ismael Morales-Montero, age 29, of Rapid City, appeared before US District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on February 7, 2011, and pled guilty to Count II of an Indictment that charged him with Use of Immigration Document Not Lawfully Issued. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine.

On December 25, 2010, after being arrested by the Rapid City Police Department, Morales-Montero presented a fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident Card. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Robert A. Mandel.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for March 11, 2001. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.