Press Release
Nicaraguan Woman Sentenced for Illegally Using Social Security Number
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JUNIETH BETANCO-HERNANDEZ, age 19, was sentenced on December 19, 2023 to probation for a term of one year for illegally using a social security number, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).
According to court documents, BETANCO-HERNANDEZ was first arrested, by the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) near Hidalgo, TX, on or about September 30, 2022. BETANCO-HERNANDEZ was later determined to be unlawfully present and inadmissible into the United States. She was released from custody by USBP and instructed to report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Orleans. In conjunction with her release, BETANCO-HERNANDEZ was enrolled in the “Alternative to Detention” program, run by BI Incorporated (BI) and provided a GPS device to monitor her location in the United States.
On or about March 28, 2023, BETANCO-HERNANDEZ reported to BI's office and presented her immigration documents consisting of a Louisiana state ID featuring her name and photograph, and a Social Security Card. Through investigation, Homeland Security Investigations agents determined that BETANCO-HERNANDEZ was not the individual to whom that social security number had been issued. To the contrary, agents confirmed that the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration had instead, issued that social security number to another individual.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.
Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Office
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated December 21, 2023
Topic
Identity Theft
Component