Cynthia Lyerla, Aggravated Identity Theft & Passport Forgery, Texas 2017

Galveston, Texas – In a shocking case of deception, Cynthia Lyerla, a 53-year-old ship captain for Majestic Ventures, Majestic Dinner Cruises, and Majestic Yacht Charters, has pleaded guilty to using a stolen identity and making false statements in passport applications.

Cynthia Lyerla admitted to obtaining the birth certificate of Christina White in 1965, just days after her death, and then using that identity to obtain a second Social Security number, driver’s licenses, passports, mariner licenses, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) documentation allowing her to enter secure port areas.

The real Christina White died on the same day she was born in 1965, raising suspicions about Lyerla’s claims. Cynthia Lynn Knox was born in 1964, married Harold Lyerla, and took his name, but after her husband’s murder in 1988 in Lompoc, California, Lyerla adopted the identity of Christina White.

Lyerla’s fingerprints were taken by local police during the investigation into her husband’s murder, and authorities discovered her true identity when they compared the fingerprints to those taken during her mariner license application. A retired California police detective also positively identified Lyerla as the defendant.

United States District Judge George C. Hanks accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 7, 2017. At that time, Lyerla faces up to 10 years for making false statements in a passport application, as well as a mandatory 24 months for aggravated identity theft, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

Lyerla was permitted to remain on bond pending the hearing. The investigation was conducted by the Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service and U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Goldman prosecuting the case.

The charges carry significant penalties, and Lyerla’s guilty plea is a stark reminder of the consequences of identity theft and passport forgery. As the investigation continues, it is clear that Lyerla’s actions had far-reaching consequences, compromising the security of ports and potentially putting lives at risk.

The case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and the need for law enforcement agencies to work together to prevent and investigate crimes related to identity theft and passport forgery.

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