Ludy Will Dial Jr, Passport Fraud, Nevada 2024

A Reno resident, Ludy Will Dial Jr, aka “Russel Van Wyck” and “Russell Van Wyck,” 69, has been indicted and arrested for using a U.S. passport that was obtained by making a false statement. This charge was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Perlman of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), San Francisco Field Office.

On Thursday, August 20, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Dial Jr with one count of use of passport secured through a false statement. He was arrested yesterday and made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben on October 19, 2020.

According to the indictment, on or about July 8, 2015, Dial Jr used a U.S. passport that was issued due to a false statement made in the application. Specifically, the application stated that the person in the passport photo was named Russel Van Wyck, when in fact the person was Dial Jr. In addition, Dial Jr used that passport to obtain a Nevada Driver’s License.

Dial Jr faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. The charges against him are serious and highlight the importance of maintaining the integrity of the U.S. passport system.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case is the product of an investigation by DSS, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw is prosecuting the case.

If you are aware of fraud associated with a U.S. passport, you can report it by emailing PassportVisaFraud@state.gov or contacting your nearest DSS field office. The public’s help is crucial in preventing and detecting passport fraud, and all tips will be thoroughly investigated.

The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service is committed to protecting the integrity of U.S. travel documents, including passports. The agency works closely with other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals who commit passport fraud. In this case, the DSS worked tirelessly to gather evidence and build a strong case against Dial Jr, leading to his indictment and arrest.

Related Federal Cases