JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Jose Mejia-Sarmiento, 66, a citizen of Honduras, is facing federal prison time after admitting to repeatedly violating U.S. immigration laws and engaging in Social Security fraud. The guilty plea, entered before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines, adds another chapter to a long record of run-ins with the law for the defendant.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that Mejia-Sarmiento pleaded guilty to all nine counts of the indictment. Court records reveal a pattern of disregard for U.S. law, with Mejia-Sarmiento found illegally present in the country on three separate occasions – in 1996, 2016, and most recently – after being previously deported. The 2016 incident followed a felony conviction, escalating the severity of his continued unlawful presence.
The fraud component of the case centers around Mejia-Sarmiento’s deliberate attempts to defraud the Social Security Administration. Between May 2024 and February 2025, within the Western District of Pennsylvania, he knowingly possessed and used the identification of another individual, submitting false statements to the agency. This wasn’t a momentary lapse; the indictment detailed four separate instances of this fraudulent activity, suggesting a calculated scheme.
Federal investigators from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, pieced together the evidence leading to the charges against Mejia-Sarmiento. The investigation highlights the collaborative effort to combat both immigration violations and financial crimes.
Judge Haines has scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2025. Mejia-Sarmiento could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. The ultimate sentence will be determined based on the seriousness of the offenses and the defendant’s prior criminal history, adhering to federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is leading the prosecution in this case. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing, shedding light on the consequences for those who repeatedly flout U.S. law and attempt to defraud federal programs. The defendant’s actions represent a clear breach of trust and a strain on vital resources.
RELATED: Valley Predators Nabbed in Sting
RELATED: Deported Honduran Faces New Federal Rap on I-12
Related Federal Cases
- Fake Robbery, Real Theft: 8 Months for CU Crook · Pennsylvania
- Fake Robbery, Real Theft: 8 Months in Fed Lockup · Pennsylvania
- Nathaniel Robinson Pleads Guilty To Homeless Fund Theft · Alabama
- Cook Sentenced for DEA Property Theft in PA · Pennsylvania
- Ross Twp. Man Pleads Guilty to $304K Benefit Theft · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News