64-year-old Honduran national Pedro Nolocos Rosales has entered a guilty plea on counts of passport application fraud, aggravated identity theft, and theft of government funds, the Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced. Rosales, who faced a federal indictment, admitted to using the stolen Social Security number and name of another individual to wrongly obtain a United States passport, and illicitly garnering disability insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration. Over two decades, this deception cost the U.S. Government an estimated $186,078.60, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The scheme by Rosales was uncovered following a joint investigation by the U.S Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As a result of his crimes, Rosales will face a combined sentence that could reach up to twenty-two years in prison and could be fined a maximum of half a million dollars across the three counts. Forged upon the documents that built the foundation of his fraudulent benefits, the harsh terms that await him upon his sentencing are a testament to the severity of the offenses, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to the statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Rosales is obliged to reimburse the United States the full amount of $186,078.60 that he wrongfully received. Not only does his punishment include potential incarceration and restitution, but Rosales will also be subjected to a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count, bringing further financial accountability for his actions. Providing a detailed account of the legal repercussions, these penalties underscore the cost of deceit in matters of identity and government funds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit heads the prosecution, navigating the complexities that revealed Rosales's extensive fraud. In addition to the prospect of prison time, the court could also impose a supervised release of varying lengths for each of the counts, ensuring that Rosales’s actions remain scrutinized long after he serves his sentence. Embroiled in the case that took two decades to culminate, he will now face the judgment he evaded for so long, as the case concludes in the legal system, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
