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.
I agree... except maybe he has such a positive attitude because he already has a job offer from a Police Department in California or Texas?
Americans are a just people, but Americans are awakening to the fact, criminals are not a just people. In fact, Americans are more set against criminals than ever before. Criminals are finding out, Americans will enforce our laws, despite the cries and gnashing of teeth of the lawyers, and the supporters of those who attempt to fool Americans every single day. (aka...democrats, illegals, lawyers (most often than not), and the supporters of those who attempt to, by their actions, destroy and not create, nor abide by the laws of our nation.....mho.
If we can replace this globalist POTUS with a conservative, we have a good chance.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
I noticed you left out the Republicans, as much as I used to respect the Republican Party (and barely still consider myself one), I’m not convinced that the elitists who’ve been running the party since Reagan are anything more than Oligarchists and run amok pure, unbridled global capitalists, using cheap labor from anywhere in the world to increase their profits, at the expense of the American people. I’d rather live in an America that resembled the past, maybe a lower standard of living but less taxation, more freedoms and immigrants required to assimilate. Period. The dream appears over and not easily recreated. I always maintain hope, though.
In the case of this criminal, I would investigate the family, throughly, for additional criminal activity. It seems prudent with the number of illegals and criminal illegals making their way into our highest levels of the public trust. Public trust can be broken, completely, yet I am not able to know when that time will, or could, come. I agree, with a True Conservative President, America would stand a better chance...
Someone who would appeal to God for wisdom, and ask for that wisdom every day....You know of who I support....I believe, Mr. Hunter, is a God fearing and God loving Man.....and this is not a commercial for Mr. Hunter, instead, I offer a prayer for our nation, that God's Will Be Done....
Happy Thanksgiving to All. I enjoyed the information contained in this thread. Freepers are the most informative people on the face of this Earth.....God Bless All The FReepers....
Please excuse me....I must leave now.
Give him two years hard labor, cleaning up freeway trash, removing gang scrawl, and then, with a large boot, and kick him hard in a southbound direction.
I too always maintain hope, or at least I try. Hope is a marvelous thing....One cannot see it, just as Faith and Love cannot be seen, but Hope, Faith, and Love are always present, even though sometimes it does seem all could be lost. I know you will never give up...I too will never give up....Not giving up makes the left angry, more angry than some, who claim to be on the right. Right always rights itself to fight another day. Right will never be destroyed, but I cannot believe the same for the left.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and may Faith, Hope, and Love always abide with each of us.
ping
And to yours.
NO!
He was 17, almost an adult, when he and his family chose to do it.
Go be a Mexican cop...I hear the bribes are better, anyway.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Reminds me of how the Nethinim started out hewing wood and hauling water, but ended up doing the priestly duties in The Sanctuary.
Oh come on. You never did anything reckless when you were 17? He probably figured it wasn’t hurting anyone and he was just telling a white lie for the sake of a better life.
Obviously, he’s been caught breaking the law and should be deported, but I can’t see how anyone should feel any malice towards him or not wish him well for his new life back in Mexico....
My objection to the wording is the journalists, “it just happened”, like NO ONE WAS RESPONSIBLE.
ME? While it is not about me, still: Wreckless, yes; so many felonies? NO.
Stolen identity...which begs the question, WHY, after 10 years was the cousin’s SSN still active, rather than in the ‘Deceased’ list?
The fraudulent change of schools, with repeat of a year to match age/grade.
He was NOT 17 when he PERJURED himself on his applications & background checks.
His OLDER BROTHER was not 17 when he continued the lie/perjury on this guy’s background checks.
Don’t cry any rivers over this guy; and I DID wish him well in Mexico, in case you didn’t notice
T’were me, I would simply shoot on sight every MF’n SOB illegally crossing...but that is against our bleeding heart, suicidal laws; only Mexico is allowed to attempt that on THEIR southern border.
His story is just so much BS. Only a liberal moron would fall this. Once he’s deported he’ll do his level best to sneak back in. He should be in jail right now awaiting trial..... not out free
When these illegal aliens spin their tales they’ll say exactly what they think liberal goobers will believe
You're nuts. This illegal alien snuck onto the Milwaukee police force. Probably via affirmative action. You think that's some kind of joke?
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