USCIS Charges Man for Lying on Citizenship Application
A naturalized citizen faces naturalization fraud charges for allegedly concealing felony sexual assaults on his N-400 application and in his USCIS
A naturalized U.S. Citizen has been indicted for allegedly lying about prior felony sexual assaults to obtain American citizenship. Kevin Jesus King made his initial court appearance on September 2, as announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services investigated the case. The agency's director, Joseph B. Edlow, stated the administration's position clearly. "Under the Trump administration, if you cheat to get U.S. Citizenship, expect the consequences," Edlow said.
The Alleged Crimes and Deception
According to court documents, King committed two sexual assaults. The first occurred in July 2017, and the second in March 2018. In both instances, he forcibly penetrated his victims and used threats of physical harm to force them to perform sexual acts.
King submitted his Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to USCIS on January 23, 2018. On that form, he failed to disclose the July 2017 assault. He also falsely denied ever committing a criminal offense for which he had not been arrested.
The Naturalization Interview and Grant
King attended a naturalization interview under oath with a USCIS officer on June 4, 2018. During that interview, he again failed to disclose both the July 2017 and March 2018 sexual assaults. He repeated his false denial of ever committing an unreported crime.
Eleven days after that interview, on June 15, 2018, King obtained U.S. Citizenship through naturalization. The scheme unraveled years later when King admitted to the assaults. On July 25, 2024, he pleaded guilty to both sexual assaults in Nevada state court.
The Federal Charges and Case Status
The federal indictment charges King, who also uses several aliases, with one count of naturalization fraud. The maximum penalty for this charge is 10 years in prison. A jury trial has been scheduled for November 3, 2024.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada emphasized the importance of honesty in the immigration system. She said the office would aggressively prosecute those who use deceit to obtain citizenship.
USCIS encourages the public to report suspected immigration benefit fraud through its online tip form. The agency notes that an indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
