Executive Summary
- Sindi Yamileth Mejia Avila, a 22-year-old Guatemalan national, was found guilty of aggravated identity theft, false representation of a Social Security number, and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
- Avila used a U.S. citizen’s personal identifying information, including a fraudulent North Carolina driver’s license and a counterfeit Social Security card, to secure a construction job.
- She faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in federal prison, with her sentencing hearing scheduled for December 4, 2025.
Laws and Precedent
- The defendant was convicted on federal charges including aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. § 1028A), false representation of a Social Security number (42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)), and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship (18 U.S.C. § 911). These statutes criminalize the unlawful use of another individual’s identity and the misrepresentation of one’s citizenship status, particularly when applying for employment through official documents like the I-9 work authorization form, underscoring the federal government’s enforcement of identity and employment integrity laws.
A federal jury in the Middle District of Florida today found Sindi Yamileth Mejia Avila, a 22-year-old Guatemalan national, guilty of aggravated identity theft, false representation of a Social Security number, and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Avila used a U.S. citizen’s personal identifying information to secure a construction job in the region, and now faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in federal prison. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2025.
Details of the Deception
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Avila obtained a fraudulent North Carolina driver’s license. This fake document bore the real name and date of birth of a U.S. citizen, but displayed Avila’s photograph. She also acquired a counterfeit Social Security card, which listed the U.S. citizen’s genuine name and Social Security number.
Avila subsequently submitted these falsified documents as part of her I-9 work authorization form when applying for a construction position. On this official form, she falsely asserted that the U.S. citizen’s identity, including their name, date of birth, and status as a United States citizen, belonged to her.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was thoroughly investigated by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Their collaborative efforts led to the charges and subsequent conviction.
Assistant United States Attorneys Karyna Valdes and Lindsey Schmidt are prosecuting the case, working under the direction of U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. The conviction underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to upholding the integrity of identity and employment laws.
This verdict serves as a significant reminder of the serious legal ramifications for individuals who attempt to illegally work in the United States by misrepresenting their identity and citizenship status. The upcoming sentencing in December will determine the full extent of Avila’s penalty for these offenses.
