Eliecer Reyes Huerta, Passport Fraud, Aggravated ID Theft, California 2014

Formerly Deported Mexican National Charged with Multiple Crimes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal grand jury has returned a six-count superseding indictment against Eliecer Reyes Huerta, 31, a Mexican national residing in Vallejo, adding charges of possessing methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute, and unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, on July 30, 2012, Huerta filed an application for a U.S. passport, falsely stating that his name was Jose Manuel Ventura Ruiz and that he was born in Puerto Rico. In fact, Huerta is an alien who was previously deported to Mexico. In October 2012, Huerta again falsely stated that his name was Jose Manuel Ventura Ruiz, this time in connection with an application for a U.S. passport for a minor.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at Huerta's home in January 2014, where they discovered methamphetamine and cocaine packaged in plastic bags, scales, and a handgun.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Nirav Desai is prosecuting the case.

Huerta is currently in custody on the pending charges and will be arraigned on the superseding indictment on May 30, 2014.

If convicted, Huerta faces the following maximum sentences: for either passport fraud offense — 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; for aggravated identity theft — two years and a $250,000 fine; for the methamphetamine-related offense — five to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine; for the cocaine-related offense — 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine; for the firearms offense — 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/previously-deported-mexican-national-charged-passport-fraud-aggravated-id-theft-drug