Two men, Fredy Hernandez-Lopez, 19, of Mexico, and Pablo Marlon Frias Teran, 40, of Ecuador, have been arrested and charged with visa fraud in separate criminal complaints. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith stated that on August 26, 2025, both men were passengers in a vehicle that made an incorrect turn onto the Peace Bridge Port of Entry from the United States. Customs and Border Protection officers questioned the two after neither was able to provide identity documents.
According to Smith, Hernandez-Lopez was escorted to secondary inspection where officers found what appeared to be a United States Permanent Resident Card and a Social Security Card under the name “Freddy HERNANDEZ.” Both cards were later determined to be fraudulent. Frias Teran was also taken for secondary inspection; officers discovered an Alien Registration Receipt Card under the name Marlon Teran that was also fraudulent. Records showed Frias Teran had previously been ordered removed from the United States in July 2024 but did not leave.
Both defendants made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr., where they were detained.
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo commented: “The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
