David Cuevas, Fraud and Misuse of Permanent Resident Card, West Virginia 2019

A Mexican man has pleaded guilty to a federal immigration crime in West Virginia. David Cuevas, 45, admitted to fraudulently possessing and using information from a Permanent Resident Card issued in the name of another individual to apply for an individual explosives license from the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal. Cuevas knew the information on his explosives application was false and submitted the other individual’s Permanent Resident Card with the application on May 30, 2019.

According to court documents, Cuevas sought the explosives license to assist him in his employment laying a pipeline in Greenbrier, Nicholas and Fayette counties for a construction company. Cuevas faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Cuevas is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21, 2024. The case was investigated by the United States Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the West Virginia Fusion Center.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the agencies involved. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing, and Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-177.

The defendant’s plea of guilty has brought the case one step closer to its conclusion. Cuevas’ sentence will be determined by the court on November 21, 2024. The outcome of the case is yet to be seen, but the possibility of a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $250,000 looms over him.