Nigerian Man Jailed in US for Visa Fraud

Nigerian Man Jailed in US for Visa Fraud (NewsCentral TV) Nigerian Man Jailed in US for Visa Fraud (NewsCentral TV)
Man in Jail. Credit: Punch.

A Nigerian man named Atuchukwu Markrufus Onyeanusi has been sentenced in the United States (US) after being convicted of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents, including the use of a false identity to obtain employment.

US Attorney Ron Parsons announced that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler handed down the sentence on May 20.

Onyeanusi was sentenced to under six months in custody, followed by one year of supervised release.

Advertisement

He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Earlier, the 32-year-old man was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2025 on charges of 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.

According to court documents, Onyeanusi is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

On November 10, 2025, law enforcement officers in Oklahoma stopped a vehicle he was driving for speeding and discovered multiple fraudulent documents.

He was also found in possession of a Texas commercial driver’s licence bearing his photograph but another person’s name.

Nigerian Man Jailed in US for Visa Fraud (NewsCentral TV)
A gravel. Credit: Ludvigson Law Office

Onyeanusi carried an employer identification card for the Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board in Rapid City, South Dakota, that used the same false identity and listed his job title as “Cyber Threat Analyst.”

Investigators said Onyeanusi used the fake Texas CDL and a fraudulent Social Security card, all under the same false identity, to secure employment at the organisation.

He also falsely claimed on an employment immigration form that he was a United States citizen.

Authorities said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting illegal immigration-related crime and transnational criminal networks.

The investigation was carried out by Homeland Security Investigations and the Craig County Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

Author

  • Deborah Akwa

    Deborah Akwa is a content writer with over four years of experience creating brand stories, editorial content, and audience-focused articles on topics like health, lifestyle, and entertainment.

    When she isn't writing, she is behind the scenes managing editorial operations and helping the content team work better.

    She loves using words to connect brands with their audiences. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies and engaging in thought-provoking conversations.

Share the Story
Advertisement

Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

Weekly roundups. Sharp analysis. Zero noise.
The NewsCentral TV Newsletter delivers the headlines that matter—straight to your inbox, keeping you updated regularly.