Nigerian man sentenced for fraud and misuse of identification document in US

A United States District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a 32-year-old Nigerian man convicted of fraud, misuse of visas, permits, and other documents in Rapid City, South Dakota.

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United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced the sentencing in a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

According to the statement,  the sentencing took place on May 20, 2026. 

Atuchukwu Markrufus Onyeanusi was sentenced to time served—just under six months of custody—followed by one year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Onyeanusi was indicted for Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents; False, Fictitious, Fraudulent Document or Writing; and Aggravated Identity Theft by a federal grand jury in December 2025.

He pleaded guilty on February 27, 2026.

“Onyeanusi is an alien with lawful permanent status to be in the United States,” the statement read.

On November 10, 2025, law enforcement in Oklahoma conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Onyeanusi was driving for speeding.

Onyeanusi possessed a Texas commercial driving license with his image but another person’s name. 

Onyeanusi also possessed an employer’s identification for Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board located in Rapid City, South Dakota, with the same false name. 

This ID described Onyeanusi’s position as a “Cyber Threat Analyst.” 

Onyeanusi used the false Texas CDL, along with a false Social Security card with the same false name, to gain employment at Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board. 

Onyeanusi also falsely asserted on an employment immigration form that he was a United States citizen.

“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN),” the statement read.

“This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Craig County Sheriff’s Office in Vinita, Oklahoma.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.