see also: in October 2007 News Releases:   Cocaine Smuggler Tries To Trick El Paso CBP Officers by Hiding Drugs in Car Body   Border Patrol Agents in Texas Seize Marijuana Worth $1 Million Hidden Under Watermelons   Fingerprint Check Allows Border Patrol to Arrest Murder Suspect   Border Patrol Texas Task Force Seizes 500 Pounds of Marijuana   CBP Officers at Mail Facility Find Marijuana in Cement Statues, Opium   Tecate, Calif. Cargo Processing Port to Resume Operations Wednesday Morning ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Newark, N.J. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport yesterday identified a traveler making a false claim of U.S. citizenship who also had several fraudulent documents.

CBP officers conducted a counterterrorist enforcement exam on Ignacio Cruz (also know as Julio Angel Torres) who arrived on a Continental flight from Santiago, Dominican Republic. Cruz, with a variety of dates of birth from 1972 to 1974, claimed to be a U.S. citizen residing in Jersey City, N.J.

Upon further examination, CBP officers discovered Cruz has a prior criminal history. He was asked basic questions about his birthplace and could not answer definitively. He was questioned about his real identity and admitted not being Julio Torres.

The suspect, born Ignacio de Jesus Cruz, born March 21, 1974, is a citizen of the Dominican Republic. All of Cruz’s documents were fraudulent, including two passports stating he was born in Puerto Rico, a social security card and New York and New Jersey driver’s licenses.

Cruz was presented to the Assistant U.S. Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution. The case was accepted. Cruz was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after his initial appearance.

“This case is an excellent example of CBP officers using not only the electronic systems available to them but also the training they have received in interview techniques to uncover an imposter,” stated Joseph Rivera, assistant area director of Newark Liberty International Airport for CBP in New York.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.