SALT LAKE CITY — A man who allegedly impersonated an U.S. immigration officer as part of a money-making scheme to help undocumented immigrants obtain legal status faces federal charges.
A grand jury handed down a 36-count indictment Friday against Salt Lake resident Jose Gonzalez in U.S. District Court.
Gonzalez alleged carried an Immigration and Customs Enforcement badge and dressed like an immigration officer as he represented himself to people seeking legal residence in the United States. He told them he could get them legal status for $5,000 to $10,000, according to the indictment.
He allegedly had some clients drop him off at local Homeland Security or immigration offices, apparently to give the impression that he worked there.
Gonzalez was arrested following an investigation by the Utah Attorney General’s SECURE Strike Force a few weeks ago. He is charged with wire fraud, inducing illegal immigrants to reside in the U.S., aiding and abetting and impersonation of a federal officer.
Twitter: dennisromboy
DeseretNews.com encourages a civil dialogue among its readers. We welcome your thoughtful comments.
— About comments
Dennis Romboy is a reporter for Deseret News where for the past 20 years he has covered a variety of beats including state and local government, human services and the 2002 Olympics. He spent six years as a special more ..
- Josh Powell made 'admission of guilt' in...
- Tornado relief spurs LDS Church, Layton's...
- Couples registry gets preliminary nod from...
- 2 Utah high schools ranked among the best in...
- Letters to family show Steven Powell still...
- 4 reasons why you need to paraglide at Point...
- Frances Monson, wife of LDS prophet, passes away
- XanGo seeks ouster of co-founder in new lawsuit
Subscribe
Mobile
RSS
- Mia Love announces she's officially...
43 - S.L. draws up airport plans 32
- GOP delegates reject changes to... 31
- Couples registry gets preliminary nod... 29
- XanGo co-founder accuses partners of... 23
- 'We're here to serve all boys,' Utah... 22
- Search for Susan Cox Powell is over,... 21
- Gov. Gary Herbert tells Washington... 17
"inducing illegal immigrants to reside in the U.S"
Just think how many in our government are doing the same thing. I hope he gets off. Charging someone for the same thing our Attorney General does, doesn't seem right.
"He told them he could get them legal status for $5,000 to $10,000, according to the indictment."
That is no worse than telling them, "I will get you legal status if you re-elect me."
We are supporting other countries poverty, to the detriment of our taxpayers. These billions of dollars should be supporting our own impoverished, not a free education for the children of illegal alien parents or the growing lines of foreigners More..