CONCORD - Robson Xavier-Gomes, 44, of Brazil, pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false statement to obtain a U.S. passport, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 1996, Xavier-Gomes, a citizen of Brazil, completed an application for a U.S. passport using the name, date of birth, social security number, and other personal identifying information that belong to a United States citizen. The application was submitted to the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with a photograph of Xavier-Gomes but the identification information of the United States citizen. Relying on the information in the application and the supporting documentation, the Passport Center issued a U.S. passport to Xavier-Gomes in the name of the United States citizen. On April 12, 2016, Xavier-Gomes submitted an application to renew his fraudulently-obtained passport, again using the identification information of the United States citizen. Xavier-Gomes later admitted to investigators that his true identity was Robson Xavier Gomes, he was is a citizen of Brazil, and he had falsely used the identity of a United States citizen to apply for and obtain a U.S. passport.
Xavier-Gomes is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 28, 2019
“Crimes involving the falsification of identification documents can cause significant damage to victims, as well as the integrity of government operations," said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is essential that we maintain confidence in the truth and accuracy of U.S. passports. To that end, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who use fraud or false statements to obtain passports."
“The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to working with the U.S. Department of Justice and our local law enforcement partners in New Hampshire to investigate and prosecute all allegations of criminal activity related to passport and visa fraud, " said William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Boston Field Office. “The strong relationship we enjoy with our federal and local law enforcement partners is vital towards ensuring the integrity of U.S. travel documents and protecting greater U.S. interests."
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
