Nola Reporter

United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that a Honduran citizen, Yefferson David Perez, has been sentenced for possessing a fraudulent immigration document. The 19-year-old pleaded guilty on October 8, 2024, to the charge, which is a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a). United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced Perez to time served and imposed a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

The case arose when a United States Border Patrol agent received information about a vehicle near Interstate 10 in Slidell, Louisiana. The vehicle's owner was suspected of being in the United States illegally. During a traffic stop of the vehicle, Perez was found as a passenger. When questioned by the agent, Perez could not provide identification and instead presented what appeared to be a Lawful Permanent Resident card. A forensic examination revealed that the card was fraudulent and had been used by Perez to suggest he was authorized to stay in the United States and seek employment.

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the efforts of the United States Border Patrol, part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's mobile law enforcement unit, for their investigation into this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri from the General Crimes Unit led the prosecution.