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DANIA BEACH, FLA---A Florida FBI agent has been charged with fraud and making false statements on an application for a S-Visa, a visa for foreign nationals who are deemed essential to an investigation and prosecution of certain crimes.
In an indictment unsealed last week in Manhattan federal court, Ronald LeBlanc, 44, of Dania Beach, Fla., is accused of concealing his relationship with a Colombian illegal immigrant so she could stay in the United States after he said she cooperated with law enforcement officials following a drug arrest.
According to the indictment, LeBlanc made false claims, included misleading information, and concealed material facts on an application to secure a S-Visa for the woman who was not identified in the court papers. Specifically, LeBlanc is alleged to have concealed the nature of his relationship with the witness, with whom he was personally involved, and to have made false assertions regarding the nature, substance, and value of the information she provided to law enforcement.
The woman had pleaded guilty to a drug arrest in 1999 after she was arrested in Massachusetts in November, 1998 by FBI agents. He said she had provided information concerning three murders but federal prosecutors said the woman never assisted authorities.
LeBlanc was arraigned and released with a return date of Jan. 4. He was placed on administrative leave. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 25 years in federal prison. 12-28-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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