The U.S. Passport is highly coveted, mainly because it stands for freedom and opportunity for millions of people who have one. It also allows the bearer to legally travel overseas and reenter the country with valid identification and proof of citizenship. (Without the document, it could be difficult to prove who you are.) A story published by The New Brunswick Patch tells about a New Jersey man who had two U.S. Passports. (That’s definitely not allowed.)
The article states that the man applied for and was issued a passport in one name, then two years later applied for a second one sporting the same photograph as the first one, but having a different name, Social Security n
umber and date of birth. (Maybe he was too cheap to get a new photo or simply really liked the first one.) His first passport was renewed without any problems.
The second renewal application listed his false name and date of birth.(When reviewing the identifying photographs, the agency noticed some similarities it wasn’t double vision after all.)The National Passport Center in New Hampshire referred his renewal application for investigation and the rest is history. (As you might guess, the investigation uncovered his fraudulent actions and the man pleaded guilty to passport fraud.)
The 54-year-old was sentenced to one year probation and six months of home confinement. He must also pay a $2,000 fine.
The story does not state how the man used the two U.S. passports, but possessing two is a no-no. Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, this case was successfully prosecuted and serves as an example to others who are interested in taking advantage of the freedom and opportunity that comes with a U.S. Passport.
Source: Today’s ”Fraud of the Day” is based on an article entitled ”Piscataway Man Sentenced for Passport Fraud” published by The New Brunswick Patch on July 2, 2015.
Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith announced on July 2, 2015, that Robert Codjoe, 54, of Piscataway, NJ, was sentenced for passport fraud, according to a press statement.
In U.S. District Court in Concord, NH, Codjoe will be put on one year of probation, six months of home confinement, and a $2,000 fine connected to a case from the 1990s.
