Opinion ID: 3155932
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The C.F./M.V. 2 Passport

Text: On October 11, 2007, Churchwell assisted Lorna Brown (“Brown”) and Jacquelyn Venters (“Jacquelyn”) at the HPA in securing a false passport for Brown’s relative, C.F. Jacquelyn was present because she agreed to submit a passport application for C.F. by using her daughter’s name, M.V. Temi Russell (“Russell”), an acquaintance of Churchwell, was also present; she previously told Churchwell that Brown was coming to the passport agency for a passport. At the passport agency, Jacquelyn submitted an application to Churchwell, along with M.V.’s birth certificate, C.F.’s photo identification, and paperwork provided by Brown. Churchwell advised Jacquelyn that her husband, Merlin Venters (“Merlin”), was required to sign the application. Although Merlin was absent, 3 Churchwell accepted either Brown’s or Jacqueline’s signature in place of Jacqueline’s husband. 4 Merlin did not submit an affidavit with the application to give consent for his purported child to receive a passport. Churchwell documented both parents’ identification information on the child’s application; however, the number that Churchwell wrote as the father’s identification number matched Brown’s State of Texas driver’s license. The photograph attached to the passport application in M.V.’s name depicted C.F. 1 Churchwell has worked at the passport agency since 1979; he was previously a passport specialist and supervisory passport specialist. The HPA provides expedited services to passport applicants who have an emergency or are traveling within a very short period of time. As an adjudication manager, Churchwell managed, supervised, and performed administrative work concerned with adjudicating applications for United States passports. Passport specialists examine proof of identity and citizenship in order to issue United States passports to United States citizens. Passport specialists report to supervisory passport specialists, who report to the adjudication managers. 2 The initials C.F. and M.V. will be used due to the fact that both are minor children. 3 Brown told Churchwell that they “couldn’t get him” and were “pressed for time.” 4 According to Russell, Brown signed the application and returned it to Churchwell. 2 Case: 14-20351 Document: 00513277044 Page: 3 Date Filed: 11/18/2015 No. 14-20351 Neither M.V. nor C.F. were present when Jacquelyn and Brown submitted the passport application for C.F. Churchwell signed and approved the passport for issuance.