HOUSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Texas, Southern), published as received.

HOUSTON – A 38-year-old Mexican citizen has been found guilty of illegally reentering the United States under an assumed identity, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The jury deliberated for four hours before convicting Jose Martin Valdez-Galvan following a two-day-trial.

On June 11, 2024, authorities found Valdez-Galvan in Laredo. At that time, he provided a false name and claimed to be a U.S. citizen. Valdez-Galvan originally stole the person’s identity to avoid previous charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Testimony revealed Valdez-Galvan was an illegal alien who had been previously removed and returned to the United States without permission. He had assumed the other person’s identity in 2015 after his second removal. The jury also heard how fingerprints matched those of Valdez-Galvan.

At trial, Valdez-Galvan testified his name was not Jose Martin Valdez-Galvan. His mother also provided testimony that her son’s name was something else despite evidence she had previously identified him as Valdez-Galvan. 

The defense attempted to question the trustworthiness of the evidence, but the jury was not convinced and found Valdez-Galvan guilty as charged.

“Both public safety and basic common sense require us to know who is entering and residing in our country. Those that adopt false or stolen personas to hide their identities pose an increased criminal risk to our community,” said Ganjei. “Theft of an American citizen’s identity by a foreign national will not be tolerated, and those that engage in such criminality will be charged, punished, and, if appropriate, deported.”

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Valdez-Galvan has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan L. Oliver and Jay Hileman prosecuted the case.