Bronx Man Arrested, Charged with Fraud and Misuse of Immigration Documents

          BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Abdus Samad, 44, of Bronx, N.Y., was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with fraud and misuse of immigration documents. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Moscati, who is handling the case, stated that on August 22, 2013, the defendant attempted to enter the United States at the Lewiston Port of Entry. According to the complaint, Samad presented a fraudulently obtained U.S. Passport as proof of citizenship. Immigration officers determined that the defendant had previously entered the United States under an alias and had obtained the passport by making false statements on his passport application. 

            The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. Samad is being held pending a detention hearing on August 28, 2013 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott.

            The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero and the U.S. Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Resident Agent Roy B. Stillman.

            The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

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