DOJ: San Benito woman to face judge on false citizenship allegations

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mexican national living in San Benito was arrested on allegations of using another person's identity to pose as an American citizen.

Cristina Amezcua Valencia, 53, is expected to face a U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker on Friday.

Valencia faces three charges; one count of a false statement in application of a U.S. passport, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of false claim to citizenship.

The charges allege that in 2018, Valencia applied for a U.S. passport, claiming the identity of another person.

In 2023, Valencia allegedly utilized the passport containing the individual's name, and date and place of birth so she could enter the U.S. from Mexico.

Valencia faces up to 10 years for the false statement in application of a U.S. passport and up to three years for false claim to U.S. citizenship.

She will be ordered to serve a mandatory two years for identity theft, upon conviction.