Luilly Rafael Almonte Hiciano, Aggravated Identity Theft, Florida 2024

TAMPA, FL – Luilly Rafael Almonte Hiciano, 48, of St. Pete Beach, Florida, is trading the Sunshine State for a federal prison cell. Chief U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday today handed down a sentence of four years and three months for aggravated identity theft and lying to the United States government. The court also ordered Hiciano to pay restitution to the victim whose life he systematically stole for nearly eighteen years.

Hiciano pleaded guilty on February 8, 2019, to one count of aggravated identity theft and two counts of lying to the United States government. The plea came with a significant caveat: Hiciano agreed he could face removal from the United States and a permanent denial of immigration benefits. A deal’s a deal, and now he’s paying the price.

Court documents paint a picture of brazen deception. Back in 1999, Hiciano was denied a visa to enter the U.S. – a minor inconvenience, apparently. He simply ignored the denial, slipped into the country, and promptly assumed the identity of an unsuspecting American citizen. For almost two decades, he lived as someone else, racking up a false life built on stolen credentials. This wasn’t just a name change; Hiciano obtained two U.S. Passports, multiple driver licenses, and three Social Security cards – all under the stolen identity.

The audacity didn’t stop there. Between 2004 and 2010, Hiciano served approximately three and a half years in jail…for crimes committed while using the victim’s identity. He committed further crimes *as* someone else, deepening the harm and complicating the investigation. It’s a cruel twist for the actual citizen whose life was effectively hijacked.

Federal agencies are sending a clear message. Frederick R. Stolper, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Miami Field Office, stated, “The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to making sure that those who commit passport fraud face consequences for their criminal actions.” James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, added, “Illegal aliens who commit identity theft and fraudulently acquire U.S. passports are a threat to our nation’s security.” This wasn’t a victimless crime; it struck at the heart of national security and personal identity.

The case was a joint effort, investigated by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel George prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a sentence that, while lengthy, barely scratches the surface of the damage inflicted on the victim. This case serves as a stark warning: steal an identity, and you’ll face the full weight of federal law.

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