Posted on 11/22/2007 9:15:45 AM PST by sbMKE
Ex-officer wants new start Awaiting sentencing, illegal immigrant plans for life in Mexico By BILL GLAUBER bglauber@journalsentinel.com Posted: Nov. 21, 2007
It was a name he put on like a new suit of clothes, a name that gave him a new identity, a chance to succeed as an illegal immigrant in America.
But Oscar Ayala-Cornejo could never have imagined the long-term consequences of taking the name of his dead cousin, Jose Morales, and claiming his birth certificate, Social Security number, even a childhood immunization record.
He was just a teenager when it happened in 1999, a kid taking direction from his a father, a kid who dreamed of being a cop on the beat in his Milwaukee neighborhood.
"Once I became Jose Morales, there was no turning back," he said.
Now, the ex-patrolman with the Milwaukee Police Department is a felon awaiting sentencing Monday in federal court. In August, he pleaded guilty to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He could be headed to prison or put on probation. But in the end, he'll be going back to his home country, Mexico.
Wednesday, at his mother's home in Milwaukee, Ayala-Cornejo sat for a 75-minute interview. The 25-year-old was composed and expressed remorse.
He said he wanted to "tell people my story because there are a lot of people in my shoes" who "don't know the consequences" of assuming a new identity to remain in the United States.
"If you get caught, you're not going to be with your family, you're not going to succeed," he said. "You're going to have to go back to Mexico, back to South America."
His older brother Alex Ayala - born in the United States - is a U.S. citizen. Alex Ayala was fired from the Milwaukee Police Department in September, shortly after Ayala-Cornejo's guilty plea. He has appealed his dismissal.
His older sister is also an American citizen, and his mother is a legal permanent resident. His father, Salvador, who also had his green card, died in 2004.
But Ayala-Cornejo is not a citizen. He was born in Guadalajara and came to Milwaukee as a 9-year-old, when the family settled in a basement apartment at S. 15th Place and W. Lincoln Ave. The neighborhood was tough, but he was determined to make a difference.
He wanted to be a police officer. In high school he told his father that he wanted to eventually join a police aide program, he said.
"He had this really disappointed look on his face," Ayala-Cornejo said. "With a sad face he told me . . . I was not a citizen and because of that I cannot become an officer, I can't continue my education, can't go to college, can't get a decent job."
A solution, or so it seemed, was found. A cousin in Chicago offered to give the family documents of her son, Jose Morales, who had died at the age of 7. The two boys - Jose and Oscar - were born months apart.
"It was the only option we had," he said. "I didn't want to be away from my family."
In 1999, he took on the new name, switched high schools from Pulaski to Hamilton, repeated his junior year and created a new identity. His family didn't call him Oscar in public. He referred to his parents as his aunt and uncle. He told friends different stories about his name.
He excelled in the police aide program and moved on to the police force in 2004. He slipped through a background check because "I was so young and kind of established the name Jose Morales with going to school, gaining part-time jobs. I seemed like any other kid in high school who wanted to become an aide."
On May 31, his story unraveled. Ayala-Cornejo was arrested by two plainclothes officers and questioned by immigration officials. He said he recognized two of them from doing Spanish translation for them.
An anonymous tip had led to an investigation of Ayala-Cornejo. His yearbook pictures from two schools, with different names, helped seal the case, he said. He admitted what he had done.
"There is probably a reasonable likelihood that the guy could have followed legal steps and become a citizen or at least gain lawful resident alien status," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mel Johnson. "I guess it's an obvious lesson the shortcut may seem like a good idea but maybe really isn't in the long run."
Under a plea agreement, Ayala-Cornejo faces six to 12 months in prison, but it's possible he could also be eligible for probation.
He's eager to start a new life in Mexico.
"It's tough but I know I can do it," he said. "I'm young, I'm bilingual. Mexico has a lot of opportunities down there. I know initially we came over to the United States because those opportunities weren't available. But I feel confident I'll find something, and I'm going to make it."
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Sounds like basically a good, determined dude. Doesn’t seem too bummed about us throwing him out. That’s refreshing.
Hasta los heavos.
Regards
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
This is how corruption moves in.
Won’t be too long before he is back in the good ol’ U S of A.
Too bad he listened to his dad, and now his dad is deceased and he’s facing the consequences of switching identities.
Sounds like he has a good heart. I hope he does very well in Mexico.
I have no sympathy for this man. He broke our laws, he was aided by people who turn a blind eye, and now he pleads, he is sorry for being a criminal. Again, I have no sympathy for this man. Criminal invaders are being elevated to the status of Saints. This criminal is simply a criminal. Those supporting this criminal should be deported as well. To support a criminal is an abomination to the structure of law in our nation. Flame me, if any here wish, but aiding and abetting the crimes of a former police officer is as terrible as the act of the criminal, who was a police officer. Not only was more than one law broken, but rather many laws were broken. It is time for the illegals and their supporters to know....America is a nation of law. Break the law, Pay the consequences. How many more criminal enterprises is this family involved with? I believe the authorities will find out.
Mexico has a lot of opportunities down there.... Good for you, Bub. Take a lot of other illegals with you.
I have no sympathy for this liar. Not only did he lie to his background investigator, some of his family must have also lied to protect him. We might disagree on some of the qualifications for police officers, but I bet we all agree that we expect them to tell the truth.
I also wonder about the integrity of the police chief, or whoever is the hiring authority there. There MUST have been something in the background investigation that didn’t sound right. The candidate should have been required to provide a birth certificate, which would also identify the parents, who would be interviewed if still alive.
This whole thing stinks, and makes me wonder if this is only the tip of the iceberg.
makes me wonder if this is only the tip of the iceberg.
makes me wonder as well. This is not going to be the end of this story...even if this story, or another story like this story, is never heard of again.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
How was his older brother born in the united states??? If his mother wasn't deported at least once. The whole family are a bunch of crooks and thieves send them all back. His older brother was covering up the illegal status and false identity and there is any question about his dismissal.
Good catch....I too am will to bet this brother is illegal in some way or another......I agree with you, the whole family is in need of deportation......An older brother....something smells....I will believe the authorities are going to bust the whole family, soon, for their criminal activity.
You missed the part about his older brother was a cop also, a couple of crooks arresting crooks, I would say everyone they ever arrested, are ticketed needs to be reviewed. Their testimony can not be believed.
He’ll be back, don’t kid yourself. This problem is not going away until the legitimate citizens of the U.S. throw out the elitist bums we keep reelecting into office. If another political party doesn’t begin to form as a result of this issue, any many others, there’ll be another revolution in this country. Anybody setting up the odds on this yet?
I admit I missed the older brother part. Investigators can and do miss things. I plead guilty, although I am not an investigator.
But you were 100% correct on something stinking.
LOL
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
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