A federal grand jury returned an indictment on April 20 charging Miguel Dario Bautista Jimenez, a New Jersey resident, with unlawfully obtaining United States citizenship and fraudulently acquiring a U.S. passport, according to an April 16 announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
The case highlights the enforcement efforts of federal authorities in addressing alleged identity fraud and unlawful naturalization activities. The indictment alleges that Bautista Jimenez, originally from the Dominican Republic, re-entered the United States after being removed in 2013 following a drug conviction in New York. He is accused of using a false identity and partially mutilated fingerprints to obtain citizenship documents through naturalization as well as a U.S. passport.
Bautista Jimenez faces two counts: unlawful procurement of naturalization under Title 18, United States Code Sections 1425(b) and 2; and passport fraud under Title 18, United States Code Sections 1542 and 2. Each charge carries up to ten years in prison and fines up to $250,000 or twice the gross loss or gain from the offense.
Frazer credited special agents from Homeland Security Investigations New Jersey; the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General New York Field Division; and the Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security New York Field Office for their roles in investigating this case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Chenoweth from the Cybercrime Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Priscilla Gabela from the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
"The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," Frazer said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes statewide—including terrorism and public corruption—and represents civil matters for the government across its offices in Newark, Trenton, and Camden since its establishment in 1789 according to its official website. The office staffs about 170 attorneys and support personnel throughout these locations according to its official website. It also advances community safety through law enforcement coordination as well as crime prevention programs according to its official website, with notable alumni including federal judges and senators according to its official website.
