Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Carlos Dominguez Lopez, a 36-year-old Mexican national living in Pensacola, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of making false statements on a passport application and aggravated identity theft. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “This defendant tried to lie, cheat, and steal his way into unlawfully remaining in our country, but thanks to the outstanding work by our federal law enforcement partners he will face justice before being swiftly deported. My office remains committed to aggressively enforcing our immigration laws with as many successful prosecutions as it takes to ensure our border is secure and our communities are safe from criminal aliens.”
According to court records, in July 2022 Lopez assumed another person's identity and submitted a U.S. passport application at the Escambia County Clerk of Court Office using that individual's birth certificate and identification card without permission. After submitting the fraudulent documents, a U.S. passport was issued in Lopez's name.
Lopez could receive up to ten years in prison for these offenses and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years that must be served consecutively.
The investigation was led by the United States Department of State and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing is set for February 10, 2026 at 11:00am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices nationwide serving under the direction of the Attorney General. More information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or by visiting http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
