Fake Citizen Gets Seven Months, Deportation

KENNER, LA – Angel Lara-Merida, 44, a citizen of Mexico, received a seven-month sentence yesterday after admitting to fraudulently claiming U.S. citizenship to secure employment. U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced the sentencing following a federal investigation that exposed a calculated scheme to steal another man’s identity.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance handed down the sentence, equivalent to time already served. However, Lara-Merida’s legal troubles are far from over. Immediately following his release from custody, he will be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to begin removal proceedings – meaning deportation back to Mexico.

The case unraveled after Kenner Police responded to a frantic call from a local resident. The man, understandably distressed, had received an IRS notice stating he owed $2,443 in taxes… on income he never earned. He’d never worked for the company listed on the notice, a clear sign something was terribly wrong. ICE agents quickly joined the investigation, and the truth began to surface.

Investigators discovered that Lara-Merida had brazenly assumed the identity of the caller to obtain employment. He presented a forged Texas Identification card and a Social Security card bearing the victim’s name and number. Employment records confirmed the deception, solidifying the case against the defendant. Lara-Merida confessed to using the stolen identity as early as January 30, 2012, filling out employment forms with the false information.

Crucially, Lara-Merida signed a Homeland Security Form I-9, swearing under penalty of perjury that he was a U.S. citizen. This wasn’t just a paperwork violation; it was a direct lie with serious consequences. He admitted to ICE agents that he was, in fact, a Mexican national with no legal permission to re-enter the United States. The I-9 form, signed with his own hand, became damning evidence of his intent to defraud.

“This case highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting our national security and preventing identity theft,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite. He commended the collaborative effort of the Department of Homeland Security and the Kenner Police Department in bringing Lara-Merida to justice. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri led the prosecution, ensuring the defendant faced the consequences of his actions. While seven months may seem light, the deportation order sends a clear message: exploiting stolen identities will not be tolerated.