Mexican national pleads guilty to lying on passport application

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Mexican national pleaded guilty Monday to submitting false information when applying for a passport.

Federico Vargas Mares, 28, of Mexico, entered a conditional guilty plea for one count of false statement on a passport application before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik. According to the guilty plea, Mares filed an application at the Iberia Parish Clerk of Court in New Iberia, La., on May 17, 2013 under a different name. He also listed his home of origin as Puerto Rico instead of Mexico. After further investigation, it was discovered that the defendant had multiple immigration-related arrests and was charged with smuggling aliens in January of 2006. He was removed from the United States in October of 2007 and was barred from returning.

Mares faces 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Diplomatic Security Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog is prosecuting the case.