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WICHITA, Kan. - An illegal immigrant charged with assuming the persona of a Texas teacher has struck a deal with federal prosecutors in Kansas in a case that put a face on the crime of "total identity theft."
Benita Cardona-Gonzalez, 32, a Mexican national living in Topeka, pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced charge of possessing fraudulent identification documents.Cardona-Gonzalez was accused of completely assuming the persona of Houston elementary school teacher Candida Gutierrez, who first went public in a story by The Associated Press.
Prosecutors agreed to recommend an 18-month prison term when Cardona-Gonzalez is sentenced in March. Cardona-Gonzalez agreed not to contest deportation after serving her sentence.
Defense lawyer Matthew Works said after Monday's hearing in Wichita that his client is sorry and didn't intend to harm Gutierrez.