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Mexican man steals identity to become cop?

The officer was arrested after authorities searched his home and found documents confirming his true identity

By Rachel D’Oro
Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Authorities say a Mexican national in the U.S. illegally stole another man’s identity and became a police officer in Alaska.

Rafael Mora-Lopez pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of passport fraud in U.S. District Court in Anchorage. Federal agents processing a renewal request for his passport discovered the alleged fraud.

His attorney, Alan Dayan, declined to comment to The Associated Press.

Mora-Lopez had been employed as an Anchorage police officer since 2005 under the name Rafael Espinoza.

He was arrested Thursday after federal and state authorities searched his home and found documents confirming his true identity.