BUFFALO, N.Y. – Swapnil Ramesh Tejale, 34, a citizen of India, is facing federal charges after a routine traffic stop exposed a web of fabricated documents. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tejale has been arrested and charged with possession of a forged alien resident card, a crime that carries a hefty maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The unraveling began on July 10, 2025, when the Niagara Falls Police Department requested assistance from the Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station in identifying three individuals encountered during a traffic stop. Agents arrived on scene and began questioning the trio regarding their citizenship status. Tejale, in a move that now lands him in deep trouble, voluntarily confessed that the Lawful Permanent Resident Card he presented was a fake.
The admission proved to be just the tip of the iceberg. Investigators quickly determined that Tejale was illegally present in the United States with no legitimate immigration documents authorizing his stay. A subsequent search after Tejale’s arrest uncovered a Social Security Card bearing his name. A check with the relevant agencies swiftly confirmed the card’s fraudulent nature, adding another layer to the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, handling the prosecution, confirmed the details outlined in the criminal complaint. The case is being touted as a victory for “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department of Justice. The operation’s stated goals are ambitious: to aggressively combat illegal immigration, dismantle powerful cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and safeguard communities from violent crime.
The investigation was led by the U.S. Border Patrol Niagara Falls Station, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Brady Waikal. While authorities remain tight-lipped about the specifics of how Tejale obtained the forged documents, sources suggest a deeper investigation into potential facilitators is underway. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the federal court system.
Tejale’s arrest serves as a stark reminder of the lengths individuals will go to circumvent U.S. immigration laws, and the resources federal agencies are dedicating to identifying and prosecuting such offenses. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar investigations in the region, sending a clear message that document fraud will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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