Juan Manuel Perez, a 36-year-old San Benito man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for posing as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), authorities announced Monday.
Perez, who pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in November 2016, was handed down the sentence by U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez, who noted that Perez’s misappropriation of the LVN’s identity had denied patients the right to receive health care from a licensed professional.
According to prosecutors, Perez obtained employment with Cleveland Health Care LLC in McAllen, claiming to be an LVN, and presented a license number that belonged to another individual of the same name. Perez is not licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing and is not an LVN.
Perez, posing as the LVN, conducted patient home visits and provided medical services from December 2015 through July 2016 while employed with Cleveland Health Care.
The investigation into Perez’s activities was conducted by the U.S. Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Michael Day are prosecuting the case.
Perez, who had previously been released on bond, was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility at a later date.
The sentence handed down by Judge Alvarez serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of impersonating a healthcare professional and putting patients at risk. The public is advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Related Federal Cases
- Master Dalas Brisco, Aggravated Identity Theft, GA, 2014 · Georgia
- Cynthia Lyerla, Aggravated Identity Theft, TX 2024 · U.S. Virgin Islands
- J Refugio Medina-Zamarripa, Aggravated Identity Theft, FL 2024 · Florida
- Stephanie Pyle, $1.5M Identity Theft and Embezzlement, Albuquerque … · Texas
- Harvey James Admits to Mail Fraud and Identity Theft, Montgomery AL… · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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