Senegal National Convicted Of Making False Statements During Application Process For Permanent Residency

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Serigne Diokhane, 39, of Woonsocket, R.I., a native of Dakar, Senegal, was convicted today by a federal court jury in Providence of making false representations to immigration officials when applying for permanent residency in the United States. Diokhane faces up to five years in federal prison, followed by up to 3 years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi on April 3, 2014.

Diokhane’s conviction was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.

According to the government’s evidence, in February 2012, Serigne Diokhane applied to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) field office in Johnston, R.I., for permanent resident status in the United States. During an application interview, Diokhane signed a sworn statement denying he had ever used any other name in any situation or on any application. A routine background investigation and check of USCIS computer data files revealed that fingerprints taken from Diokhane matched a person identified as Mohamed Sy, 39, of Mauretania, who had submitted an application for asylum at the Newark, New Jersey Immigration Center in September 1998. A Warwick Police Department fingerprint expert examined both sets of fingerprints and confirmed they matched and belonged to Serigne Diokhane.

Serigne Diokhane was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested on June 12, 2013, on one count of making false representations to government officials.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.

To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/

Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov