BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Caswell Richards, 55, of Jamaica, pleaded guilty to the use of a U.S. passport secured by a false statement before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated in December 2020, Richards used another individual’s name and birth certificate to apply for and secure a United States passport. On that application, Richards also indicated that there were no other names he had used in the past and affirmed to a Passport Acceptance Agent that all the information provided was true and correct. On Nov. 25, 2021, Richards sought entry to the United States at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry using the fraudulent passport.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 5, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
