Jamaican National Admits Making False Statement in United States Passport Application

NEWARK, N.J. – A Jamaican national admitted making a false statement in an application for a U.S. passport, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Stefan Anderson, 47, of Jamaica, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court on March 26, 2024, to one count of false statement in a passport application. The matter, originally indicted in the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division, was transferred by consent to the District of New Jersey for plea and sentencing.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On April 21, 2022, Anderson applied for a U.S. passport in Wyoming, Kent County, Michigan. Anderson falsely claimed to be another individual, a United States citizen. Anderson also presented a Michigan Temporary State Identification card bearing that individual’s name and personal identifying information in support of the application.

The count of false statement in a passport application carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Detroit Resident Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, Detroit Field Office with the investigation leading to the  guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea D. Coleman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.