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Former APD Officer Gets Three Months in Prison for False Citizenship ClaimThe sentence imposed by Judge Timothy Burgess includes a $10,000 fine, and, if Mora-Lopez is not deported after his prison term, 750 hours of community service and three years of supervised release.Rafael Mora-Lopez was a model officer in the Anchorage Police Department and seemingly a solid citizen. Except he wasn't. Today a federal judge sentenced Mora-Lopez to three months in prison for impersonating a U.S. citizen who was actually a neighbor of his wife-to-be in his native Mexico. Defense attorney Allen Dayan argued for no jail time, while Thomas Bradley of the U.S. Attorney's Office wanted Mora-Lopez to serve a year. The sentence imposed by Judge Timothy Burgess includes a $10,000 fine, and, if Mora-Lopez is not deported after his prison term, 750 hours of community service and three years of supervised release. Mora-Lopez long had been going by the last name Espinoza when he joined APD in 2005. Arriving in the United States in 1989 on a visa, the Mexican national stayed on past the expiration date, using the name, Social Security number and date of birth of a U.S. citizen living in Guadalajara -- a neighbor of his wife-to-be. The identity theft went undetected -- including through a background check and polygraph examination by APD -- because the real Espinoza had no criminal record. A duplicate passport application finally caught the attention of the State Department, and Mora-Lopez admitted passport fraud and a false claim to citizenship. "The important thing is that he's going to see the inside of a jail cell,” Bradley said. “And I think that's important in a case like this to send that message that nobody's above the law." Mora-Lopez apologized profusely before this sentencing today. "I know what I did was wrong and for that i'm very sorry ... Very very sorry." "He was very contrite and he has been from day one on this, when he was confronted by the investigators,” Bradley said. “He readily admitted who he was. He's never hesitated to admit his responsibility and accept responsibility for what he did in this case. Very contrite and apologizing to the court, the community, the police department and his friends and family today in court." An immigration review office within the Justice Department could consider deporting Mora-Lopez following his prison term, which his attorney said would be tragic. "My client goes back to Mexico, he'd probably be killed in a matter of hours, certainly days,” Dayan said. “His face has been all over Mexican TV. And now everyone knows that he's a police officer up here. Not exactly what you want to be down in Guadalajara." Meanwhile, Mora-Lopez faces sentencing in state superior court next month for falsifying applications for permanent fund dividends. APD has made some changes to its hiring processes for officers. Spokesman Lt. Dave parker said it's not a reaction just to Mora-Lopez but an ongoing effort to improve pre-employment screening. Parker says detectives now will be conducting the initial interviews and polygraph operators have gotten additional training.
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kandi! said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 3:21 PM
he needs to be deported and also just put a bow on him and send him home
73149489Terry Archibald said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 3:16 PM
If he goes back, he dies. He was obviously good enough to make it to being a cop here. So what's the deal with all the hate spewing? Ya'll doing it sound as bad as those who actually DO evil. Armchair tortuerers? Sheesh! Get a healthy grip on yourselves. Won't be long until AMERICANS are going to be knocking the doors of OTHER nations wanting in, and they'll remember how WE treatd them! NOT a nice scenario but a distinctly possible one, given the climate of change in DC. Instead of raising hell that he's off the force, why not use the same energy to get him to reapply ad come back? HELP HIM! God knows there are millions in the USA who will NEVER work, they have never, and they aren't even INTERESTED in improving our society or their lives. Took bad we can't whack THEM from our gene pool! Get rid of the greedy, grasping morons, the metnal midgets who don't even KNOW their own nation's history, who think it is their RIGHT be at the top. HA!!!EARN IT OR SHUT THE HELL UP.
73149224lluna said on Saturday, Aug 27 at 10:22 PM
Endub said "So does this now mean that anyone this convict has arrested in the past should get there charges changed to false imprisonment since they weren't actually arrested by a real police officer?" yes Endub that is what should happen but either no one is going to challenge it and or the prosecutor will not go out of their way to inform those that where arrested by this loser, and on another note: you people must realize if you haven't already that atleast 90% if not more of APD and those of the city stood behind this guy and asked the court to be easy on him, hell if you didn't see channel 2 video, this guy was still driving, so either the courts let him keep his fake IDs and or he doing it knowing APD wont do a thing to him..
73024667just us said on Saturday, Aug 27 at 2:02 PM
obamma will give him amnesty anyway and he will in turn vote for obamma,it's a win win for the democrats and illegal aliens like this puke bucket.
73012692PGWeiss said on Friday, Aug 26 at 1:42 PM
Our law enforcement Officers provide a great needed service. They don't hire individuals. Someone slipped up somewhere, that does the hiring. I'm just wondering about the lie on the city application? The wages earned from that lie. Isnt it a felony to enter this country illegally? Only 3 months sounds like a hand slap. Maybe we should let let "hot sauce mom" have at him!
72973679jjj said on Friday, Aug 26 at 12:44 PM
Anchorage Police are all DIRTY CORRUPT CHUMPS!!!! The whole system is a JOKE!! A BAD JOKE on us. Nobody believes in this system anymore! Anybody that protects this corrupt criminal system is a traitor to OUR country and state!
72970811Endub said on Friday, Aug 26 at 8:42 AM
So does this now mean that anyone this convict has arrested in the past should get there charges changed to false imprisonment since they werent actually arrested by a real police officer?
72955679akrock said on Friday, Aug 26 at 8:12 AM
I am just trying to figure out why, with all the jobs out there that this man decide to be a cop. All I can say is that with the Mexican drug trade the way it is I would look deeper into his background to see if he isn't a plant for the cartels. What better way to get drugs into a state then have an inside guy.
72953587Mrs. D said on Friday, Aug 26 at 7:15 AM
Was he a good cop or a bad cop???
72949703Andrew said on Friday, Aug 26 at 6:46 AM
This is a joke!
72948078Tom Smith said on Friday, Aug 26 at 1:31 AM
The important thing is that he's going to see the inside of a jail cell,” - 5 days for evey year that he impersonated a police officer. Mora-Lopez apologized profusely - of course he did and the averted eyes are an old ploy for, 'I am not a threat'. "He was very contrite and he has been from day one on this, when he was confronted by the investigators,” - I would feel the same way even if I got caught, even if it was murder. I really would. I promise. An immigration review office within the Justice Department could consider deporting Mora-Lopez following his prison term, which his attorney said would be tragic. - Deport the whole family. "My client goes back to Mexico, he'd probably be killed in a matter of hours, certainly days,” Dayan said. - He is a criminal who is afraid of criminals? Too bad. Send his lawyer with him.
72937134tundratim said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 10:29 PM
I belive the prosecutors office can and should appeal the sentence. 3 month = 2 months with good time What a joke I wonder how many convicts are now appealing their conviction which was based on the say so of a dishonest cop
72934908tundratim said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 10:25 PM
According to Federal and State Law a felon on conditional release cannot own any conceled weapon: What about the Victim. How would you like if someone stoled your idenity I here theres going to be a public demostration Where at - I'll go
72934847Anna said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 10:18 PM
Wow! Lots of cop haters on here. America is home to well over 13 million illegal immigrants - most of those that actually work do so under the identity of someone else. That is the only way they can legally work. Well, it isn't legal, but they pay taxes and try to assimilate into society. They pay all the taxes you pay and most likely will never collect on social security and medicare. The ones that work and get paid under the table never pay a dime in taxes. Their girlfriends and children qualify for welfare because they are not married. This guy paid his way with a solid job that I understand he did very well. Yes, he assumed the identity of another to do it and it was wrong, but otherwise he was an upstanding member of the community - more than can be said of most illegals. What I see here is just cop hate.
72934722Andrew said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 8:45 PM
The man broke the law and sould have to go back empty handed. If he is such a great guy he can start over and do it right trhis time!
72932821Kimo said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 7:54 PM
Everything he owns should be confiscated and used to pay municipality bills.
72931302Outback said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 7:30 PM
It seems to me that police officers should be held to a higher standard because of their position within a community. From the prosecuter down to the meter maid all of these individuals are given great responsibility. When that position is abused by either taking items for personal gain to falsifing statements and oaths. The punishment should be to the harshest portion of the law. He should spend a year in jail, repay any and all pay, bonuses, vacation time, overtime and all legal fees the city and state used to prosecute him, along with paying for his jail cost and finally his deportation costs. He should then be deported to the southern boarder of mexico
72930512george said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 7:26 PM
He broke the laws here, inmigration, false pasport, stolen identity and he gets 3 months? what is wrong with the law, so nextg he probably get a medal and get elected to to the city counsel, wow must be great to be illegal and get all this great things, he have to pay with jail time years and send him home
72930301Anonymous said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 7:14 PM
Parker says polygraph operators will get more education!? WHAT? They need to be in prison with this guy!
72929972How can you live with this? said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 7:13 PM
I cannot for the life of me understand how people of this city can stand by and watch this OUTRAGEOUS slap on the wrist.
72929927SCAM! said on Thursday, Aug 25 at 7:10 PM
He gets to keep all the wages he stole from Anchorage under fraudulent identity theft. He gets to retain his home in Alaska. The APD let him keep his revolver. How many of you can write a $27,000.00 check all at once?
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