Nevada Man Deceives His Way to Citizenship, Hides Rape Convictions
A man in Nevada stands accused of fraudulently obtaining US citizenship by lying about his criminal history, including two rapes committed before and after his naturalization application, federal prosecutors revealed.
Kevin Jesus King faces charges of naturalization fraud, with the Justice Department asserting he misled officials on his 2018 citizenship application. When asked if he had ever committed a crime for which he was not arrested or if he had ever lied to government officials, he marked “No” both times.
King was naturalized on June 15, 2018, during a ceremony in Reno. However, court documents indicate that on or about July 25, 2024, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault that occurred on or about July 25, 2017, and March 18, 2018.
US Attorney for the District of Nevada, Sigal Chattah, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “United States citizenship is one of the most meaningful privileges our Nation can bestow, and it cannot be obtained through lies, concealment, or fraud.”
Chattah further noted that King concealed serious felony conduct while seeking the rights and benefits of citizenship. The office remains committed to maintaining the integrity of the naturalization process.
The indictment does not disclose King’s country of origin. This case emerges amid heightened denaturalization efforts by the Trump administration aimed at stripping citizenship from foreign-born individuals who allegedly obtained it through fraudulent means or concealed serious crimes.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department announced plans to revoke the citizenship of 17 individuals accused of securing naturalization through deception. These individuals hail from 13 different countries and face allegations of serious criminal activities, including child sexual abuse, narcotics trafficking, and large-scale financial fraud.
Fraudulently obtaining US citizenship carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and can lead to automatic revocation of citizenship, as stated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
