A Houston resident has entered a guilty plea for possession of unauthorized identity documents with illegal intent. Kenny Hoang Nguyen, 31, confessed to the felony in the U.S. District Court in Gulfport, Mississippi, the court revealed on April 17, 2025.
Nguyen will be sentenced on August 20, 2025. He could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Federal law may also require Nguyen to make restitution to victims, with sentencing determined by a federal judge after assessing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The case began on May 7, 2024, when an agent with the Jackson County, South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team (MET) stopped Nguyen on Interstate 10 for erratic driving. A narcotics K9 alerted the agent to the presence of suspected methamphetamine in Nguyen's vehicle. The search uncovered seven temporary Texas driver’s licenses featuring Nguyen’s photo with details of other individuals. Additional items included various identity documents, debit cards, personal information, and mail belonging to others. Some were hidden in a container resembling a "Holy Bible." Investigators found receipts and deposit slips associated with identity theft victims, including one used to create a false ID with Nguyen’s image. Authorities identified 27 victims whose personal data was illegally held by Nguyen.
The investigation was extended to a U.S. Postal Inspector, who interviewed multiple victims. The victims reported unlawful use of their mail and bank accounts, consistent with documents seized from Nguyen.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, Patrick A. Lemon, acknowledged the contributions of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Lemon was joined by Shameka Jackson, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the Postal Inspection Service (Houston Division), and Adam M. Calderon, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector, in announcing the developments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris led the prosecution.
The proceedings are part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and curbing violent crime. This operation employs resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
