Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of indictments charging four Honduran nationals, Juan Ariel Molina-Salles (age 33), Elieser Aurelio Gomez-Zelaya (age 32), Allan Oseas Gomez-Zelaya (age 42), and Duglas Hernandez Valladares (age 38) with aggravated identity theft, misuse of Social Security numbers, and making false statements regarding citizenship with the intent to engage unlawfully in employment. If convicted on all counts, each faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years, up to 12 years, in federal prison.
According to the indictments, Molina-Salles, Elieser Aurelio Gomez-Zelaya, Allan Oseas Gomez-Zelaya, and Hernandez Valladares misused the names and Social Security numbers of others and falsely claimed to be United States citizens with the intent to engage unlawfully in employment.
“Identity theft is not a victimless crime,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “HSI, in cooperation with state and local partners, prioritizes the protection of someone’s personal information and works diligently to ensure it is not stolen, traded in an illicit marketplace, or used by criminal organizations.”
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, the United States Border Patrol, the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Originally published at https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/four-honduran-nationals-indicted-aggravated-identity-theft
