Many people in Missouri spend time planning international adventures. Some go so far as to acquire a passport. But as with all plans, people can change their minds and decide on a different destination. While a change of mind is rarely the basis of a white collar crimes investigation, one man has recently pleaded guilty to fraud related to information he provided when he applied for a passport.
Officials claim that the 22-year-old man lied about his travel plans. As a result he was arrested. He recently pleaded guilty to passport fraud. As part of the plea, the government admits that it has no evidence that he was engaged in terroristic activities, but it can continue investigating.
Reports indicate that when he applied for a passport, the man told officials that he was planning to travel from Kansas City to Canada. However, he allegedly went to Egypt instead. After his family members reported him missing and indicated that he may have left the country to “engage in jihadist activities,” he was taken into custody in Egypt. He then agreed to be returned to the United States.
There are several different reasons why a person might choose to plead guilty to white collar crimes charges. For many people in Missouri, pleading guilty is nothing more than accepting that there is sufficient evidence for a conviction even if they did not commit the crime. An attorney with experience with such cases can help a defendant fully understand his or her options and choose the most appropriate course of action.
Source: U.S. News & World Report, “Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Passport Fraud“, Sept. 14, 2017