Ohio prosecutors have indicted an illegal immigrant who allegedly stole the identity of an American citizen so he could live in the United States for two decades.
Asuncion Rivera, 53, is facing 25 charges out of Geauga County, including identity fraud and false voter registration. It comes as Americans say immigration and border security are top issues in the upcoming election.
An indictment obtained by Newsweek alleges Rivera used the stolen identity to obtain a U.S. passport, an Ohio driver’s license, and thousands of dollars worth of government benefits, including Medicaid.
The alleged offenses stretch from around 2006 through 2022, and he was indicted on September 23, 2024.
Asuncion Rivera is accused of stealing the identity of an American citizen in Puerto Rico to obtain U.S. passports, register to vote and claim government benefits. Prosecutors in Ohio allege he was able to do this for nearly two decades.
Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office
Redacted forms of I.D. used by Rivera showed him with a different name, with his passport declaring him as a resident of Puerto Rico, which is where the victim lives. Prosecutors provided documentation showing that the suspect was born in Mexico.
Geauga County prosecuting attorney James R. Flaiz told Newsweek that Rivera picked up multiple convictions under the stolen identity and attempts had been made to prosecute him in federal court, but U.S. Department of Justice officials said the case did not meet the threshold.
Rivera was able to get a Social Security Number mailed to him from the Social Security Administration’s office in New Jersey, Flaiz explained.
Newsweek reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the SSA and DOJ Friday morning via email for comment.
Rivera’s case comes after an undocumented migrant was charged in Alabama for her attempts to steal a U.S. citizen’s identity to vote in multiple elections.
Angelica Maria Francisco, 42, most recently of Russellville, but originally from Guatemala, stole the identity around 2011 and used the I.D. to travel back and forth, while also voting in the 2016 and 2020 primary and general elections.
She took a plea deal, pleading guilty to all charges, including false claims of citizenship in connection with voting, false statements in application for a United States passport, use of a United States passport obtained by false statements, and aggravated identity theft.
Illegal immigrants using fake or stolen identities have become a concern for Republicans in the run-up to the 2024 election, with the national and state-level sections of the party pushing states to check their voter rolls for those who are ineligible to vote.
Hundreds of thousands have been removed from voter rolls over the past year, although in many cases this was due to death or residents moving out of state.
In many municipalities and at the federal level, only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote, but some permanent residents or non-citizens are permitted to on local issues.
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