St. Joseph, Missouri – A Guatemalan national living in northwest Missouri has pleaded guilty in federal court to using another man’s identity for more than a decade while repeatedly re-entering the United States illegally. Prosecutors say the scheme allowed him to live and work in Missouri for years before the fraud was uncovered through tax records.
Incident Overview
Romeo Perez-Bravo, 43, of St. Joseph, entered a guilty plea in federal court to aggravated identity theft and illegal re-entry after a prior felony conviction. According to court filings, the identity theft stretched back to 2009, when Perez-Bravo began using another man’s personal information to secure employment and official identification documents.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Plea
Perez-Bravo appeared before Greg Kays, a U.S. District Judge, where he formally admitted to the charges. Federal prosecutors outlined how the defendant knowingly used a real person’s name and Social Security number over many years, despite having no legal authorization to remain in the country.
The guilty plea brings the case closer to sentencing, which will occur after a presentence investigation report is completed by federal authorities.
Timeline of Events
Prosecutors detailed a long pattern of fraud and unlawful presence:
- 2009: Perez-Bravo began using the identity of a man living in Minnesota
- 2009–2020s: He used the stolen identity to obtain employment at multiple businesses in St. Joseph
- Multiple occasions: He obtained Missouri-issued identification cards under the false identity
- Later discovery: The victim received IRS notices for unpaid taxes linked to income he never earned
The investigation intensified after the victim questioned why federal tax authorities were demanding payment for wages he did not recognize.
How the Identity Theft Was Discovered
The fraud came to light when the victim began receiving repeated notices from the Internal Revenue Service. These notices referenced earnings attributed to him that were actually generated by Perez-Bravo while working under the stolen identity.
Investigators later confirmed that the same personal information had been used to secure employment records and state-issued IDs, creating a paper trail that ultimately led federal agents to Perez-Bravo.
Immigration and Deportation History
Authorities stated that Perez-Bravo is a citizen of Guatemala and does not have legal permission to enter, remain, or work in the United States.
Court records show he has been deported at least three times, including once following a felony conviction. Despite those removals, he returned to the U.S. illegally and continued using the stolen identity to avoid detection and maintain employment.
Charges and Potential Sentence
Under federal law, the charges carry serious consequences:
- Aggravated identity theft: Mandatory two-year prison sentence
- Illegal re-entry after felony conviction: Up to 10 years in federal prison
Prosecutors emphasized that these sentences must be served consecutively, meaning the prison time cannot overlap. Final sentencing will be determined at a later hearing.
Additional case details were outlined in court filings referenced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri and summarized in public court records available through federal judicial reporting.
Broader Impact and Public Safety Context
Federal authorities say long-term identity theft cases like this can have lasting financial and emotional consequences for victims. Beyond tax problems, victims often face damaged credit histories, delayed refunds, and years of paperwork to restore their records.
Law enforcement officials encourage individuals to monitor tax filings, credit reports, and government correspondence closely, as early detection remains one of the most effective ways to uncover identity fraud.
Conclusion
The guilty plea by Romeo Perez-Bravo closes a significant chapter in a case involving years of identity theft, repeated illegal re-entries, and financial harm to an unsuspecting victim. With sentencing still ahead, the case highlights how long-running fraud schemes can persist undetected and the serious penalties attached under federal law.
If you have been affected by identity theft or have dealt with similar issues, share your experiences in the comments below.
