Ricardo Cesar Guedes, a 49-year-old from Brazil, is accused of stealing the identity of an Atlanta boy that died in 1979 and posing as him for over two decades, according to federal prosecutors.
William Ericson Ladd died in a car crash in Washington state over 30 years ago, and Guedes used his identity to apply for a United States passport in 1998 and renew it six times through 2020, per a federal complaint.
The San Paulo native used Ladd's identity while getting married and to take out a mortgage in Houston, according to the complaint. It also states that there are no records of him applying or receiving US citizenship through naturalization.
His real identity was discovered by investigators by comparing fingerprints he submitted for his Brazilian national identity document in the 1990s.
"Various fraud indicators" got his passport flagged, and he was arrested at George Bush International Airport in September when he entered a secure crew member area while using the Ladd's identity. Guedes was charged with aggravated identity theft, making false statements on a passport application and other counts.
Guedes allegedly took 40 trips with United Airlines in 2020 while using Ladd's identity, and is currently being detained pending trial, according to the Houston Chronicle.
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When confronted by federal investigators, Guedes tried to keep up the act and go by William Ericson Ladd. However, agents showed him Ladd's death certificate and a picture of his Alabama gravesite. He then gave up, and signed a fingerprint sheet using his real name.
“I had a dream, and the dream is over,” Guedes reportedly said. “Now I have to face reality.”
Debra Lynn Hays, Ladd's mother, confirmed her son died to State Department investigators last July. The federal complaint said she did not recognize the Social Security number issued to Guedes in North Carolina in her son's name.
A spokesperson for United Airlines said Guedes is no longer employed by the company, but did confirm he was previous employed, according to NBC News.
“United has a thorough verification process for new employees that complies with federal legal requirements,” the spokesperson said.
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