In a shocking case unraveled in recent weeks, a Tijuana man, Abel Alonso Valdez-Vazquez, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after living under a stolen identity for over 30 years to acquire identification documents and government benefits worth thousands of dollars. According to a report on the U.S. Department of Justice website, U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia has ordered Valdez-Vazquez, 59, to pay $81,185.35 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. Upon the conclusion of his prison sentence, Valdez-Vazquez is likely to be deported.
Valdez-Vazquez was first arrested on August 5, 2022, when he drove a vehicle filled with three undocumented aliens into the United States through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. He was charged under the identity of G.P., a U.S. citizen, and he later pleaded guilty under that stolen identity on January 19.
Investigators discovered that a second man, the true G.P., had been claiming his identity had been stolen and misused for decades. After confirming the real identity of G.P. through birth records and family members, it proved difficult to ascertain the true identity of the impersonator; however, they were eventually able to determine that the impersonator was in fact, Valdez-Vazquez, a Mexican citizen without legal status in the United States.
It was revealed that Valdez-Vazquez had been using G.P.'s identity since at least December 1992 when he was first arrested and later convicted under G.P.'s identity. In his second plea agreement, entered on June 30, as Abel Alonso Valdez-Vazquez, he admitted that between 2007 through 2017, and 2019 through December 2021, he received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration under G.P.'s identity. As a Mexican citizen without legal status in the United States, Valdez-Vazquez was never eligible to receive any government benefits, making all SSI payments to him, stolen money from the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Andrew R. Haden stated, "This defendant pulled off this fraudulent charade for more than 30 years, and he had many victims - from the man whose identity was stolen, to the courts, state and federal government, and the Social Security Administration." The prosecution hoped that this case would send a strong message to those who commit fraud and identity theft; no matter how long it takes, you will be found and there will be consequences for your crimes.
Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego, pointed out that the effects of stolen identities have long-lasting effects that can take years and prove costly to resolve, adding that "Identity theft is not a victimless crime and HSI is committed to investigating those who think otherwise and helping victims." Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the SSA, echoed that sentiment, stating that Valdez-Vazquez's sentence held him accountable for his actions and thanking the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecuting the case.
