⏱ 2 min read
Lopez Munongo Makengo, a 36-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been found guilty of visa fraud in Sioux City, Iowa. Makengo, who won the Diversity Visa lottery in 2014, was convicted of unlawful possession and use of identification documents after a 3-day trial. The verdict came after 7 hours of jury deliberations, revealing that Makengo had made a false statement on his visa application by failing to disclose a child born in 2013.
Makengo had immigrated to the United States in 2016 and later petitioned for relatives to join him in 2017, admitting to having a child on that petition. However, when applying for his Diversity Visa, he swore under oath at the U.S. Embassy in the DRC that his application was true and correct, omitting the existence of his child. The truth came to light in 2022 during a child abuse and neglect investigation by the Sioux City Police Department.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service and the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ron Timmons, Shawn Wehde, and Tim Vavricek. Makengo remains free on bond pending sentencing, which will be set after a presentence report is prepared.
Makengo faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Iowa
- Location: IA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
