Two men, Fredy Hernandez-Lopez, 19, of Mexico, and Pablo Marlon Frias Teran, 40, of Ecuador, have been arrested and charged with visa fraud in separate criminal complaints. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith stated that the arrests stemmed from an incident on August 26, 2025. Both men were passengers in a vehicle that mistakenly entered the Peace Bridge Port of Entry from the United States. Customs and Border Protection officers questioned them after they failed to provide identity documents.
During secondary inspection, officers found what appeared to be a United States Permanent Resident Card and a Social Security Card with the name “Freddy HERNANDEZ” in Hernandez-Lopez’s possession. Investigation revealed both cards were fraudulent. In Frias Teran’s case, officers discovered an Alien Registration Receipt Card under the name Marlon Teran; this card was also determined to be fake. Authorities noted that Frias Teran had previously been ordered removed from the United States in July 2024 but did not leave.
The defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr., where they were detained pending further proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said: “The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
Customs and Border Protection led the investigation under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
