Mexican Resident of Florida Pleads Guilty to Swiping Identity of a US Citizen

A Mexican man living in Florida under the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen pleaded guilty on July 2 to federal charges of fraud and identity theft.

Alfredo Mendoza Montero, 44, admitted committing “passport fraud, false impersonation of a citizen, and aggravated identity theft” in federal court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida said in a statement.

Mendoza entered the United States illegally in 2019. He bought identity documents belonging to a U.S. citizen, then used those documents to fraudulently apply for a U.S. passport in 2022 and to obtain a Florida driver’s license in 2023, prosecutors said.

He lived under the identity of that U.S. citizen while residing in the Pensacola area until April 1, 2025, when he was arrested by federal authorities.

“My office is fully committed to fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by robustly enforcing our nation’s immigration laws and aggressively prosecuting those who victimize our citizens and communities,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin, who announced the guilty plea.

Mendoza’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23 in U.S. District Court in Pensacola, and he faces up to 13 years in prison following a mandatory two-year term. He also faces deportation.

Mendoza’s guilty plea followed an investigation by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Office of Deportation Operations.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative by the Justice Department to stop illegal immigration, dismantle transnational criminal cartels and organizations, and protect the public from violence.

On June 26, 30 illegal immigrants were taken into custody by ICE in a workplace enforcement operation in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, according to an ICE statement. The operation was conducted at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company as part of an ongoing investigation that focused on allegations of aggravated identity theft and possible federal crimes.

ICE agents seized numerous documents at the site.

“Worksite enforcement is not just about illegal workers. It’s also about criminal employers who knowingly hire illegal labor and undermine legitimate businesses,” ICE said in a post.

“This operation underscores [Homeland Security Investigations’] unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s financial and identification systems,” said Cardell T. Morant, special agent in charge of HSI Charlotte, who also oversees North Carolina and South Carolina.

“Identity fraud is not a victimless crime—it fuels a range of criminal activity and puts innocent people at risk.”