ERO Baltimore arrests registered sex offender sentenced in illegal identity document, social security fraud scheme

BALTIMORE — A Maryland registered sex offender was sentenced in U.S. District Court Friday for possessing a forged naturalization certificate, which allowed him to be in the United States illegally since 1974, following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Fredericus Hubertus Slicher, 77, of Baltimore, was sentenced March 7 by U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett to three months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Judge Bennett also entered an order that Slicher pay restitution of $48,928 for social security and Medicare benefits unlawfully received. Following his criminal sentence, he will be transferred into ERO custody pending removal from the United States.

"Convicted criminals and those who exploit the integrity of our immigration system like registered sex offender Fredericus Hubertus Slicher are among ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations' highest priorities," said Dorothy Herrera-Niles, field office director for ERO Baltimore. "The United States welcomes law abiding immigrants, but foreign nationals who violate our laws and who commit crimes against those most vulnerable in our communities will not be allowed to stay."

In August 2013, Slicher was discovered by ERO officers to be a foreign national on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. In September 2013, ERO officers asked Slicher about his citizenship. Slicher falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and presented the forged naturalization certificate as proof, along with his fraudulently obtained U.S. passport. After it was determined that the documents were forged, ERO officers arrested him for being in violation of U.S. immigration law. During questioning it was discovered that Slicher was collecting Medicare, social security benefits and had been actively voting. In October 2013, the case was presented for prosecution. On Jan. 29 he pleaded guilty to the criminal charges.

According to his plea agreement, Slicher is a citizen and national of Netherlands, who entered the United States in 1967 on a visitor visa. He was later given a work visa, which expired in 1969. Slicher applied for a permanent work visa, but was denied. Nevertheless, Slicher did not leave the United States and has been unlawfully present ever since.

In 1974, Slicher obtained a forged U.S. naturalization certificate which he used to obtain numerous identity documents, including a U.S. passport, a social security card and a Maryland driver's license. Slicher is a registered sex offender as the result of a 2004 state child abuse conviction. Slicher has voted in numerous federal elections for more than 30 years despite being ineligible to vote due to alienage.

In 2010, Slicher used his fraudulently obtained social security card and other identity documents to become approved for social security and Medicare benefits. Slicher has received $41,808 in social security benefits and $7,120.67 in Medicare services to which he was not lawfully entitled.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore and the U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division assisted in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul K. Nitze, on detail in the District of Maryland from the Social Security Administration.