Citizen Of India Indicted For Falsely Claiming United States Citizenship In Passport Application

HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaydeepsinh Jayas, age 42, a citizen of India, was indicted by a federal grand jury for making a false statement in a passport application, applying for, and attempting to procure evidence of United States citizenship, and making a false claim to United States citizenship.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on or about November 10, 2023, Jayas applied for a passport in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.  In the passport application, Jayas attested that he was a United States citizen.  As proof, Jayas submitted a delayed Pennsylvania birth certificate that he received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon the submission of a falsified affidavit in which it was claimed that he was delivered in Bradford County, Pennsylvania by a midwife.  Jayas, however, was born in and is a citizen of India.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service, Philadelphia Resident Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the indicted offenses is 23 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release after imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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