MAN GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT

SAN JUAN, PR - Casimiro Nuñez Polanco was found guilty today, after 45 minutes of deliberation, for aggravated identity theft, announced today United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez–Vélez. This investigation was conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General (SSA OIG), the U.S. Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Service, the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julia Díaz–Rex.

Casimiro Nuñez Ploanco was charged with three counts of identity theft, aggravated identity theft and social security fraud. Prior to today's verdict, the defendant plead guilty of counts one and three of the indictment (identity theft and social security fraud), on August 25, 2009. The trial for count two started yesterday at 2:00 pm and finished today at approximately 2:00 pm. The sentence is set for February 16, 2010 at 9:00 am before Chief Judge Fusté. The defendant is facing a sentence of at least two years up to a maximum of fifteen years in prison.

On April 23, 2009, Nuñez Polanco possessed with intent to transfer unlawfully 24 United States identification documents: 12 stolen U.S. Social Security Cards and 12 Puerto Rico Birth Certificates.

“With the convictions of this defendant we want to send a message to all those criminal who dedicate their lives to take away peoples identities that we will not tolerate these types of crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue working along with other law enforcement agencies and will prosecute the criminals to the full extent of the law,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez–Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.