Mexican Citizen Charged With Possession of Counterfeit Alien Registration Card

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Jose Guzman-Lopez, 32, found in Ithaca, New York, was charged by complaint today with possession of a forged and counterfeit alien registration card. He made his initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in Syracuse, New York and was ordered detained in U.S. Marshal’s Service custody pending further proceedings, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Acting Field Office Director, Thomas P. Brophy, for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE/ERO).

If convicted Guzman-Lopez faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The defendant may also face deportation or other immigration law consequences if he is found guilty. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Jose Guzman-Lopez was arrested on May 2, 2017 by ICE/ERO deportation officers in Ithaca, New York, and charged with administrative immigration violations. During the arrest, the officers discovered Guzman-Lopez possessed a fraudulent alien registration card in his wallet. Guzman-Lopez is a citizen of Mexico and appears to have no legal status in the United States.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, ICE/ERO, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.