STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO — Peter Kalimu, 52, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty, before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., to making a materially false material. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, a native of Rwanda, concealed the fact that he previously used the name “Fidele Twizere.” Kalimu answered “none” to the question on his naturalization petition that asked “If you have even been known by any other names, provide them below.” In November 2014, the defendant provided a letter to Homeland Security agents claiming that he had never used another name (other than Peter Kalimu) and that he did not use any other name (other than Peter Kalimu) in Rwanda. Those statements prevented the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for determining if foreign nationals are qualified to become U.S. citizens, from fully investigating the defendant’s background.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, under the direction of Edward A. Newman, Buffalo District Director.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 7, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. before Chief Judge Geraci.
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