Jeffry Jose De Pena, a Dominican national with prior child sex offense convictions, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 18 for perjury and immigration fraud. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that De Pena, who was unlawfully in the U.S., is accused of providing false information on his application for temporary protection.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle emphasized his office’s commitment to public safety in a statement. He noted that the charges are allegations and that the office will review false statements while supporting federal partners. The indictment claims that De Pena submitted a false statement on his Form I-821D for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in December 2021.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office De Pena reportedly answered “No” to a question about past sexual offenses on his immigration form. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) initially approved his application on January 5, 2022. In February 2023, he faced multiple charges, including five counts of indecent liberties with a child and seven counts of first-degree sexual offense with a child, for alleged crimes occurring between 2007 and 2012.
De Pena was convicted on March 21, 2024, and sentenced to 300 to 420 months in prison. He was also required to register as a sex offender. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that he admitted to crimes involving a victim who was four years old when the offenses began. Immigration officials were unaware of his criminal background when granting DACA status, as his arrest occurred afterward.
De Pena now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the new charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case, which is part of Operation False Haven, an initiative targeting individuals who illegally obtain immigration benefits. The investigation is led by ICE ERO officers and HSI agents. More information is available through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or via PACER, Case No. 5:25-CR-00288. As with any indictment, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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