Mexican, Honduran Nationals Indicted for Aggravated Identity Theft

TAMPA, Fla. — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa investigation has led to the indictments of a Mexican national and a Honduran national for aggravated identity theft, misuse of Social Security numbers, and making false statements regarding citizenship with the intent to engage unlawfully in employment.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of indictments charging Antonio Resendiz-Badillo, 39, of Mexico, and Erlin Maradiaga-Flores, 30, of Honduras, who face a minimum mandatory penalty of two years and up to 12 years in federal prison if convicted on all counts.

According to the indictments, Resendiz-Badillo and Maradiaga-Flores misused the names and Social Security numbers of others and falsely claimed to be U.S. citizens with the intent to engage unlawfully in employment.

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 HSI Tampa, the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher F. Murray.