SIOUX CITY – A man who illegally obtained a passport and social security benefits was sentenced on November 25, 2014, to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Raymundo Sierra-Mendez, age 71, from Mexico, received the prison term after a September 18, 2014, guilty plea to one count of social security fraud and one count of passport fraud.
In a plea agreement, Sierra-Mendez admitted he used a fraudulent name, social security card and birth certificate to obtain a United States passport in 2008. He also applied for and obtained social security benefits in 2008, with the same documents.
Sierra-Mendez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Sierra-Mendez was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 1-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
