U.S. court jails Nigerian man Atuchukwu Onyeanusi for fraud, identity theft
A Nigerian man has been convicted of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
The sentencing took place on May 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Atuchukwu Markrufus Onyeanusi, 32, 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.
Mr Onyeanusi was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2025 for fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents; false, fictitious, fraudulent document or writing; and aggravated identity theft.
He pleaded guilty on February 27, 2026.
Mr Onyeanusi is an alien with lawful permanent status in the United States.
On November 10, 2025, law enforcement in Oklahoma conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Onyeanusi was driving for speeding.
Mr Onyeanusi possessed a Texas commercial driving license with his image but another person’s name.
Mr Onyeanusi also possessed an employer’s identification for the Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board located in Rapid City, South Dakota, with the same false name.
This ID described Mr Onyeanusi’s position as a ‘Cyber Threat Analyst’.
Mr Onyeanusi used a false Texas CDL and a false Social Security card with the same name to obtain employment at the Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board.
Mr Onyeanusi also falsely asserted on an employment immigration form that he was a United States citizen.
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