Nigerian jailed in US for using fake identity to secure job

A Nigerian man, Atuchukwu Onyeanusi, has been sentenced in the United States federal court for fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other identification documents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota said Onyeanusi, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler to time served—just under six months in custody—followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. According to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, Onyeanusi had earlier been indicted in December 2025 on charges of fraud and misuse of visas, false, fictitious or fraudulent documents, and aggravated identity theft by a federal grand jury. He later pleaded guilty on February 27, 2026. “Onyeanusi is an alien with lawful permanent status to be in the United States,” the statement said. Related News Police arrest mother, daughter over N18m romance scam US ICE arrests Nigerian man for identity theft, fraud Employment not for sale, Bauchi warns against fake job offers It added that “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.'” The statement further said Onyeanusi used the fraudulent Texas CDL and a false Social Security card to secure employment with the organisation, and also falsely claimed on an immigration employment 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 organisations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” the statement added. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Craig County Sheriff’s Office in Vinita, Oklahoma, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder. Saheed Oyelakin Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s w