Ex-Cuban Military Pilot Indicted In Florida For Allegedly Lying On U.S. Immigration Forms
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe and United States Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones have announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Cuban national Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez, 64, with federal crimes related to his U.S. immigration application.
The indictment charges Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez with fraud and misuse of visa, permits, and other documents, and making a false statement to a federal agency. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, the charges stem from information submitted by Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The indictment alleges that on or about April 20, 2025, Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez ‘presented or caused to be presented’ a Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status containing false statements.
The false statements pertained to his prior membership in the Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force from 1980 to 2009. The indictment alleges that Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez falsely stated he had:
- Never received any weapons or military training.
- Never participated in any group of any kind that used weapons or threatened to use weapons.
- Never served in a military or police unit.
Authorities assert that Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez, in reality, received training and served in the Cuban military as part of the Air Defense Force. The indictment included a photograph reportedly depicting the defendant in the Air Defense Force.
Attorney General Pam Bondi commented on the case, saying, “This Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who lies about their past to take advantage of America’s immigration system.”
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