Rwanda man charged with naturalization fraud

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man who is originally from Rwanda was charged Tuesday in federal court with naturalization fraud.

Ken Ngombwa, 54, is charged with one count of unlawfully procuring or attempting to procure naturalization or citizenship; one count of procuring citizenship to which he was not entitled; one count of conspiracy to unlawfully procure citizenship; and one count of making a materially false statement to agents of the United States, according to an indictment.

The indictment said Ngombwa attempted to obtain citizenship for himself and family members who accompanied him to the United States from Rwanda from March 1998 through Nov. 19, 2004.

Ngombwa and others allegedly made a number of false statements to U.S. immigration authorities, who decided to grant Ngombwa refugee status and permanent resident alien status, which permitted him to become a citizen.

According to the indictment, Ngombwa claimed he was the brother of Faustin Twagiramungu, a former prime minister of Rwanda.

Ngombwa appeared in court Tuesday and was released on bond. He was ordered to surrender any passport or travel documents, stay in Linn County, have no contact with potential witnesses and undergo a mental health evaluation.

If convicted, Ngombwa faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. He also faces loss of citizenship.

Ngombwa also faces second-degree arson and insurance fraud charges in Linn County District Court. He is accused of setting multiple fires in his home in July 2013 and giving his insurance provider false information about the fire.