Date: 10-08-2014

Case Style: United States of America v. Abel Fajardo-Guizar

Case Number: 14-CR-38

Judge: Lida r. Reade

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (Linn County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: David C. Tvedt

Defendant's Attorney: Chad Frese

Description: Cedar Rapids, IA - A Mexican citizen who was twice convicted using the identity of a dead American citizen who attempted to obtain new identification documents and gain employment in that name was sentenced to six years in federal prison.

Abel Fajardo-Guizar, age 38, a citizen of Mexico, living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
received the prison term after a May 7, 2014, guilty plea to two counts of unlawful use of identification documents and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

In a plea agreement, Fajardo-Guizar admitted he was twice convicted under the name of another real person who died in 1995. Fajardo-Guizar was convicted under the other person’s name in Texas in 2001 for importing marijuana into the United States and in Iowa in 2010 for possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful drug user. On November 22, 2013, while falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, Fajardo-Guizar used the date of birth, the Social Security Card and Social Security Number of another real person, someone he personally knew, to obtain a State of Iowa Identification Card in that person’s name. On December 18, 2013, again falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, Fajardo-Guizar used the date of birth, the Social Security Card and Social Security Number of another real person, and the recently acquired State of Iowa Identification Card when completing forms required to work in this country. On March 1, 2014, Fajardo-Guizar attempted to obtain a State of Iowa driver’s license using that the name, date of birth and Social Security Number of that other real person. When arrested on Federal charges on March 19, 2014, defendant had in his possession that other person’s birth certificate.

Fajardo-Guizar was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Fajardo-Guizar was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $400 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Fajardo-Guizar is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and was investigated by agents from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Outcome: See above

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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