Syracuse Woman Pleads Guilty To Making A False Statement

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Valerie Christine Hedd-Johnson, 46, of Syracuse, NY, pleaded guilty to making a false statement in an application for a U.S. passport, before U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth R. Moellering, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant applied for a passport in Buffalo, NY in November 2013. On the application, Johnson indicated that she had never applied for a U.S. passport before.  However, in August 2000, the defendant applied for a passport in Texas and that application had been rejected due to indications of fraud.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Special Agents from the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Services and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.