ALBANY, NEW YORK – A 32-year-old Guatemalan national is back in the hands of federal immigration authorities after receiving a 74-day sentence for possessing a bogus green card. Juan Luis Ortiz Jimenez, caught with the counterfeit document in Colonie, New York, was sentenced today, but the jail time has already been served.
The case, announced by U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of ICE’s Buffalo Field Office, highlights the persistent battle against document fraud used to skirt U.S. immigration laws. Ortiz Jimenez wasn’t just holding a fake ID; he was already unlawfully present in the country when ICE officers apprehended him on December 28, 2017.
According to court documents, Ortiz Jimenez admitted to possessing the counterfeit permanent residency card. The discovery came during an arrest for simply being in the U.S. illegally, turning a simple immigration violation into a federal crime with potentially severe consequences. The feds aren’t messing around when it comes to fake documents.
While the 74 days Ortiz Jimenez spent behind bars represent the extent of his criminal sentence, it’s far from the end of his troubles. Immediately following sentencing, he was handed over to the Department of Homeland Security. That means removal proceedings – deportation – are now underway. Expect him to be on a flight back to Guatemala soon.
The investigation was conducted by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the agency responsible for identifying, arresting, and removing undocumented immigrants. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan handled the prosecution, building the case that led to Ortiz Jimenez’s conviction. This wasn’t a complex scheme, but it underscores the constant pressure on ICE to uphold immigration law.
This case serves as a stark warning: attempting to gain entry or remain in the United States with fraudulent documents carries significant legal risks, even if the initial offense seems minor. For Ortiz Jimenez, a fake green card bought him 74 days of freedom, but ultimately landed him in deportation proceedings. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat immigration fraud throughout the country.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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