The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a citizen of the Dominican Republic illegally residing in Hazleton has been charged with attempting to obtain a U.S. passport by false statements and with illegally possessing a firearm.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Jhonny Melenciano Marte, 34, of Hazleton, was charged in a criminal information filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Scranton. The criminal information was filed pursuant to a plea agreement which is subject to the approval of the court.The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Hinkley.