Naval Reservist Pleads Guilty to Bribery for ID Cards

Raymond Andres Zumba, a 27-year-old Naval Reserve member from Staten Island, NY, has pleaded guilty to paying a bribe to obtain Department of Defense identification cards for unauthorized individuals. The crime carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison.

Zumba was apprehended after driving to Jacksonville, Florida, where he met with an insider at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville. According to court documents, Zumba sought to acquire real but unauthorized ID cards for cash payments, facilitated by the insider’s spouse, who worked in the personnel office.

The source reported that Zumba brought three individuals, including a Chinese national, to NAS Jacksonville after hours. The spouse processed two of them for ID cards, and on February 14, 2025, Zumba received the ID cards for $3,500. His arrest followed shortly after, with the recovered cards.

The investigation was led by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Homeland Security Investigations, while Assistant United States Attorneys David Mesrobian and Michael J. Coolican are prosecuting the case. Zumba has been ordered detained and will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing, which is yet to be scheduled.

“This case sends a clear message that corrupting public officials for personal gain will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “We are committed to protecting the integrity of our military personnel and national security through vigorous law enforcement efforts.”

Zumba’s guilty plea underscores the gravity of his actions, which compromised the security of Department of Defense identification cards. As a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve, Zumba had a duty to uphold the highest standards of integrity and honor; instead, he chose a path of corruption, now facing significant federal prison time.

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