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Filipino Woman Sentenced for Passport Fraud
Bangor, Maine – In a shocking case of identity theft, 43-year-old Emelita Ignacio Arindela, also known as ‘Esperanza Ignacio Arindela,’ ‘Esperanza Hooper,’ ‘Emily I. Arindela,’ and ‘Emily Ignacio Arindela,’ has been sentenced to time served for passport fraud.
According to court records, Arindela assumed the name and date of birth of her older sister in order to marry a U.S. citizen in the City of Valenzuela, Philippines in 2000. She then entered the United States under her sister’s identity in 2002 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen using her sister’s identity in 2009.
Later that year, Arindela legally changed her name to Emily I. Arindela and applied for a U.S. passport using her new name and her sister’s date of birth in 2010. The case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service of the U.S. Department of State.
U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Arindela was sentenced to time served (10 days) and one year of supervised release for passport fraud. Arindela pleaded guilty on April 12, 2018.
The sentence comes as a relief to those who have been victimized by similar cases of identity theft and passport fraud. ‘This case highlights the importance of verifying the identity of individuals applying for passports and other government documents,’ said Frank.
Arindela’s case serves as a reminder that identity theft and passport fraud are serious crimes that can have severe consequences. The Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office commend the efforts of the investigators who worked tirelessly to bring Arindela to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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