Mexican National Pleads Guilty To Falsely Claiming American Citizenship

LAFAYETTE, La. –A man from Mexico pleaded guilty to charges that he falsely claimed to be an American citizen, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.

Luis Alberto Hernandez, 32, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to one count of false claim of U.S. citizenship. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, law enforcement agents learned that illegal aliens were returning to the Abbeville area from working on an offshore oil rig located 85 miles off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon being questioned on March 15, 2014, Hernandez said he was originally from Texas. He gave agents a false name, Social Security number, and Louisiana identification card. He later admitted his true name as well as being a citizen of Mexico.

Hernandez faces three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger is prosecuting the case.