TAMPA, Florida — Eighteen individuals have been charged in an immigration-related identity theft investigation, according to Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney. The charges include aggravated identity theft, misuse of Social Security numbers, and false statements regarding citizenship with the intent to engage unlawfully in employment.
The defendants, all foreign nationals without lawful status in the United States, allegedly misused names and Social Security numbers and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to secure employment, according to the indictments. If convicted on all counts, each faces a minimum penalty of two years and up to 12 years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karyna Valdes and Christopher F. Murray, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III…