Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
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 allegedly 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.