PHILADELPHIA, PA — David Romero, a 68-year-old resident of Lancaster, PA, was sentenced on Friday to 30 months in prison for passport forgery and possession of counterfeit passports. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.
Romero faced multiple charges, including four counts each of passport forgery and possession of counterfeit passports, as well as one count of possessing 15 or more counterfeit access devices. He was initially indicted in July 2023 and pleaded guilty to all charges in February 2024.
Special agents from the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service carried out a search warrant at Romero’s home. They found fraudulent U.S. passport cards, fake driver’s licenses and identification cards, and counterfeit bank, debit, and credit cards. The fraudulent documents bore the personal details of other individuals but featured Romero’s photograph. Additionally, agents discovered a notebook that Romero used to practice forging signatures.
“David Romero’s actions posed a serious threat to the integrity of our identification systems,” said United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service. Assistant United States Attorneys John Boscia and Timothy Lanni led the prosecution.
Romero will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
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