⏱ 2 min read
Enrico Ronquillo, a 38-year-old Philippine national, stole the identities of US citizens to impersonate one on a cruise to Alaska. On May 11, 2025, he boarded a cruise ship in Seattle, posing as a US citizen. Ronquillo used a stolen name, date of birth, and address to get past security. His scheme was uncovered when US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers boarded the ship in Juneau on May 14, 2025.
Ronquillo’s backpack was searched, revealing two fake birth certificates and a California driver’s license containing the personally identifiable information of an identity theft victim. He also had a large amount of cash and was found to have used another person’s credit card info to get money at the ship’s casino.
Ronquillo pleaded guilty to false impersonation of a US citizen and aggravated identity theft on February 19, 2026. He was sentenced to over four years in prison, ordered to serve one year on supervised release, and pay $25,000 in restitution. Ronquillo will face deportation proceedings after serving his sentence.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of identity theft and its consequences. Ronquillo’s actions not only harmed the individuals whose identities he stole but also undermined the security of the cruise ship and its passengers.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Alaska
- Location: AK
- Source: DOJ Press Release
