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Press Release

Lawrence Woman Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements on Naturalization Application

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Lawrence woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to making false statements on her naturalization application.

Francisca De La Cruz, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in an immigration document. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for July 26, 2018.  

On Nov. 25, 2013, De La Cruz submitted an Application for Naturalization in which she omitted the fact that she had been arrested and criminally charged in 2006, and that when she was arrested, she identified herself to police as “Mercedes Abrue,” which was a false name.

The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised released, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

Updated May 3, 2018