Defendant Admitted Knowing That Illegal Aliens Purchased
Identity Documents with the Intent to Commit Criminal Offenses
A Dominican national was sentenced to prison today for his
role in a scheme to sell the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and
corresponding identity documents to individuals illegally residing in the
United States. Assistant Attorney
General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division,
U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico, Executive
Associate Director Derek Benner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
(ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Inspector in Charge Craig
Goldberg of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Chicago Division made the
announcement.
Reynaldo Rodriguez-Canario, aka Reinaldo Rodriguez, Reynaldo
Rodriguez, Reinaldo Canario, Jose Almonte, Jose Martinez, Matatan and Ciego,
47, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Puerto Rico, was sentenced
to serve 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release by
U.S. District Judge Aida M. Delgado-Colon of the District of Puerto Rico. Rodriguez-Canario pleaded guilty on Feb. 16,
to conspiracy to possess and transfer identification documents, conspiracy to
encourage an alien to reside in the United States for financial gain, and
aggravated identity theft.
“Rodriguez-Canario and his co-conspirators sold identity
documents to illegal aliens knowing that those documents would be used to
commit crimes, including Social Security fraud,” said Assistant Attorney
General Benczkowski. “The Department of Justice and its law enforcement
partners will not tolerate criminal aliens who undermine the integrity of the
U.S. immigration system. We will
aggressively enforce U.S. immigration laws and seek stiff penalties against
those who violate them.”
“Identity theft poses a severe threat to public safety by
potentially enabling those with criminal intent to travel to or remain in the
United States,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Benner. “HSI will
continue to utilize its unique authorities, working closely with our law enforcement
counterparts, to combat this crime and ensure justice for the victims.”
“The events of today serve as yet another example of the
unending dedication of the Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement
partners to halt the devastating effects of identity theft,” said Inspector in
Charge Goldberg. “Those who engage in
this type of fraud must learn they cannot escape detection and will be brought
to justice. The sentencing of Rodriguez-Canario is a victory for all who
suffered financial and emotional distress because of his actions.”
According to admissions in his plea agreement,
Rodriguez-Canario obtained identity documents of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens,
usually consisting of birth certificates, social security cards and driver’s
licenses, and shipped them to co-conspirators in the United States. Further, the plea agreement states that his
co-conspirators sold social security cards and corresponding Puerto Rican birth
certificates to individuals illegally residing on the mainland United States
for prices ranging from $500 to $1,300 per set.
The defendant admitted that the co-conspirators used money transfer
services and the U.S. mail to complete their illicit transactions. Rodriguez-Canario also admitted that he knew
that the customers who purchased the identity documents intended to commit
social security fraud and other criminal offenses.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago and the
U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation with assistance from HSI
San Juan, Puerto Rico. The HSI Attaché
Office in the Dominican Republic and International Organized Crime Intelligence
and Operations Center provided invaluable support, with assistance from ICE and
U.S. Postal Inspection Service offices around the country.
Trial Attorneys Frank Rangoussis of the Criminal Division’s
Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Marianne Shelvey of the
Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the
case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the
District of Puerto Rico is providing assistance in this matter.