Columbian Citizen Sentenced To 25 Months Federal Imprisonment

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Walter Elicer Luna Cayseda, 49, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced Wednesday in United States District Court in Utica for making a false statement and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and United States Customs Acting Director of Field Operations Rose Hilmey, Buffalo, New York. United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd sentenced Luna Cayseda to 25 months imprisonment, followed by a three year period of supervised release. Upon completion of his sentence, the United States Department of Homeland Security will process the defendant for removal from the country.

These charges stemmed from the defendant’s conduct at the Champlain Port of Entry on August 26, 2014. At that time the defendant provided authorities with a false name telling them he was a United States citizen born in Puerto Rico. He made these statements during an immigration inspection at the Port of Entry. The defendant also used a New York State driver’s license that contained his picture but listed a false name. The defendant is actually a citizen of Columbia. He was previously removed from the United States to Columbia in 1997.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Champlain, New York. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward P. Grogan.