CEDAR RAPIDS – A Guatemalan man in Clarion who used another person’s name and social security number to get jobs was sentenced today to six months in federal prison.
Melvin Rodriguez-Barrios, age 44, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Clarion, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 2, 2019, bench trial finding him guilty of three counts of unlawful use of an identification document and four counts of misuse of a social security number.
The evidence at trial showed that on May 23, 2014, August 21, 2014, June 24, 2015, and January 5, 2016, Rodriguez-Barrios, using an alias name, used a social security card bearing someone else’s name and social security number on employment and tax documents when applying for work at various businesses in Clarion and Forest City, Iowa. Rodriguez-Barrios also used a fraudulent Missouri State ID card to prove his stolen identity and falsely claimed to be a United States citizen when applying for work.
Rodriguez-Barrios had been a fugitive from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since he was ordered deported from the United States in August 2011. Rodriguez-Barrios first used the alias name and false identification documents when applying for work in Clarion in March 2012. Rodriguez-Barrios came to the attention of immigration officials during the course of an employment documents audit at a business in Clarion in November 2017. Information obtained during the audit showed Rodriguez-Barrios, an illegal alien, was working under an alias and used someone else’s social security number to obtain work.
Further investigation revealed that Rodriguez-Barrios’ wife, Cleotilde Puac-Gomez, also an illegal alien, was collecting food stamps and other state welfare benefits by not disclosing Rodriguez-Barrios’ income earned under the stolen identity. The failure to report Rodriguez-Barrios’ income resulted in Puac-Gomez receiving over $19,900 in over-payments in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds and Medicaid benefits between June 2012 and November 30, 2017. Puac-Gomez, age 46, has pled guilty to theft of government funds and is awaiting sentencing.
Rodriguez-Barrios was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C. J. Williams. Rodriguez-Barrios was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Rodriguez-Barrios is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Investigation Division – Economic Fraud Control Bureau.
Kill him. Kill all of them. Let the attractive females come to America, kill everything else that sneaks in.
Gringos are so stupid – do you not think I don’t vote socialist ? My democrat FREE appointed attorney will have me out and on welfare before you can say border wall !
Hampton = Tijawaaana !
This site runs like total shit. Cant post half of the time lol. Lame. Just make a Facebook and run this off that. This is terrible.
If you don’t like it don’t come on here. You won’t be missed.
Oh, you’d miss me. Who would be left here to say intelligent thing’s! Also the posts are anonymous, so you’re a moron. How would you know one way or the other? You’re kinda dumb. I have a feeling if this was a real room you wouldn’t say the first word about my behavior or statements. I get it. You’re a callow loser in real life and tough on your phone. How about you shut your bitch mouth. I don’t see why you defend a website especially one you don’t own, that’s a bit gay of you.
Worked for me.
An illegal alien milked the system for over $20,000.00 and how many more are doing the same thing. That’s our tax money and Medicaid benefits people. That’s more money then some people that actually work for a living make. This has really got to stop!
When I was in Texas we saw a lot of undocumentented people all with the same S.S. number.
I have an idea he isn’t the only illegal in Clarion either.
And Hampton.
Hampton has illegals in town? That’s kinda hard to believe if you ask me.
You are kidding right? Hampton has had them for as long as anyone can remember. So does klemme, clarion eagle grove probably got em in belmond and everywhere else down there. Mason city has to many. Sometimes I wonder how some people made it to adulthood. Like when someone says they didn’t know mason city has a meth epidemic, it’s like do you have eye’s?
What the heck is this? “He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.” He should be deported after his prison term, not released on probation. This is bull!
Don’t you think that order from ICE in 2011 will supersede his being released?