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News Releases

May 27, 2011

South Florida man charged with falsely representing himself as an immigration attorney

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A local man was charged in federal court on Friday with making false statements in connection with purported immigration services.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.

According to the criminal complaint and statements made during the May 27 court hearing, during the course of this scheme, Levy Garcia Crespo, 34, of West Palm Beach, submitted fraudulent paperwork to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicating that he was an attorney representing clients in immigration matters.

In support of his paperwork, Crespo submitted a fraudulent Florida Bar Association identification card and a fraudulent Florida driver's license.

Crespo also appeared in immigration court and represented himself as an attorney.

While posing as an attorney, he processed more than 3,000 false and fraudulent immigration applications on behalf of illegal aliens.

If convicted, Crespo faces a maximum of five years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rinku Tribuiani for the Southern District of Florida is prosecuting this case.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.