A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to more than a year in federal prison for making a false statement to a U.S. Postal Inspector. Raymond Cortez, age 65, received the prison term after a December 11, 2012, jury verdict finding him guilty of one count of making a material false statement in a matter within the jurisdiction of the United States.
The case against Cortez began on November 20, 2007, when he lied to a U.S. Postal Inspector during an interview. The Postal Inspector asked Cortez whether his vehicle, a black Hummer, was involved in a chase of a young man the month prior on First Avenue in Cedar Rapids. Cortez falsely denied knowing anything about the chase, despite being the driver of the Hummer during the incident.
The chase was being investigated because the occupants of the Hummer were attempting to retrieve a $3,323.00 federal student aid check from the young man. Some of the occupants of the Hummer had fraudulently obtained the check as part of a scheme to defraud the United States out of student loan funds. The evidence at trial showed that Cortez was aware of the scheme and had participated in the chase.
Cortez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Cortez was sentenced to twenty-one months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. A special assessment of $100 was also imposed. There is no parole in the federal system.
At the sentencing hearing, Chief Judge Reade said Cortez had “no respect for the law.” Judge Reade enhanced Cortez’s sentence for perjuring himself during his testimony at trial. Regarding Cortez’s trial testimony, Judge Reade added Cortez had “no respect for the oath.” This sentence reflects the seriousness of Cortez’s crime and the need to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Department of Education. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 12-74 LRR. Cortez was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on April 15, 2013.
This sentence serves as a reminder that making false statements to law enforcement is a serious crime with serious consequences. The investigation and prosecution of Cortez demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable for their actions and to protect the integrity of the federal student aid system.
RELATED: Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced for False Statement to Postal Inspector
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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