Feds say rape convict lied his way into US citizenship by hiding sex assaults

A man living in Nevada has been charged with fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship by denying he had ever committed a crime, despite committing one rape before applying for citizenship and a second before becoming naturalized, federal prosecutors said.

The Justice Department has charged Kevin Jesus King with naturalization fraud, contending he lied on his 2018 U.S. citizenship application when asked if he had ever committed or assisted in an offense for which he was not arrested, or if he had ever lied to government officials.

Both times, he checked a box indicating "No," authorities said. King was eventually naturalized during a ceremony on June 15, 2018, in Reno.

On or about July 25, 2024, he pleaded guilty to two instances of sexual assault, which occurred on or about July 25, 2017, and March 18, 2018, court documents state.

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"United States citizenship is one of the most meaningful privileges our Nation can bestow, and it cannot be obtained through lies, concealment, or fraud," Sigal Chattah, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, told Fox News Digital.

"As alleged, this defendant hid serious felony conduct while seeking the rights and benefits of citizenship," Chattah added. "Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the naturalization process."

The indictment does not specify the country King is originally from.

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The charges come as the Trump administration continues to ramp up denaturalization efforts to strip foreign-born Americans of citizenship if they allegedly obtained it by fraud or concealed serious crimes during the naturalization process.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department announced that it was moving to revoke the citizenship of 17 people who allegedly obtained naturalization through fraud or deception.

The individuals, from 13 different countries, are accused of serious criminal conduct, including child sexual abuse, narcotics trafficking, and large-scale financial fraud.

Fraudulently obtaining citizenship is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and can result in automatic revocation of citizenship, according to U,S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).