An individual residing in Billings, identified as an illegal alien, has been sentenced to seven months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Diego Xiap, 48, had pleaded guilty in January 2025 to a charge of making a false statement on a passport application. The sentencing was overseen by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2021, Xiap submitted a Form DS-11 at the Billings post office under the identity of John Doe 1. He used a Montana driver license and birth certificate for identification and proof of citizenship, respectively. However, suspicions arose about his application leading to an investigation by a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent.
The investigation revealed that Xiap had assumed the identity of John Doe 1 for nearly three decades while the real John Doe 1 resided in Puerto Rico. A DSS agent confirmed with John Doe 1's brother that there was no connection between him and Xiap. Further inquiries found that Xiap had also used an Oregon Work ID card with another individual's name, John Doe 2.
On April 24, 2024, the DSS agent located Xiap in Billings. Initially fleeing upon being approached at his workplace, he was later found at home where he claimed to be John Doe 1 but admitted having no knowledge of his supposed relatives or history in Puerto Rico.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich led the prosecution while the investigation was carried out by the Diplomatic Security Service.
