Woman who used stolen identities to work as nurse and physician’s assistant sentenced to more than six years
Leticia Gallarzo was sentenced to over six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to identity theft for using fake credentials to work in multiple states.
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By Torontoer Staff
A federal judge sentenced Leticia Gallarzo to more than six years in prison after she admitted using stolen identities and fake credentials to work as a nurse and a physician’s assistant in several states. Authorities say she performed clinical tasks without valid licences and kept working even after a prior conviction.
Gallarzo pleaded guilty in 2023 to identity theft connected to creating a false nurse’s licence and other credentials at a Michigan nursing home. Prosecutors say she later left Michigan while awaiting sentence, worked in the Chicago area under another person’s licence, and was arrested last September near Los Angeles while again working as a nurse without real credentials.
Case timeline
- Prior conviction in Texas for impersonating a nurse, which resulted in prison time a few years earlier.
- Pleading guilty in 2023 to identity theft after creating a false nurse’s licence to work at a Michigan nursing home.
- Leaving Michigan in 2024 while awaiting sentencing and taking a job in the Chicago area using another person’s licence.
- Arrested near Los Angeles in September while working as a nurse without legitimate credentials.
- Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney to more than six years in federal prison.
What prosecutors say she did and the risks involved
Prosecutors told the court Gallarzo started intravenous lines, distributed medications, removed catheter lines and supervised other staff while posing as licensed clinical personnel. U.S. Attorney Tim VerHey described it as a "happy accident" that no one was harmed during those procedures.
Defence statement and mental health
Gallarzo’s lawyer, Rachel Frank, told the court that her client has a history of mental health struggles and that she believed she was doing important work. In a court filing Frank wrote, "She loved taking care of people, and felt she was doing something important. However, she now recognizes that her conduct, especially after being punished for it in the past, is unacceptable, and that her reasons for committing this offense are irrelevant."
Legal outcome and penalties
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney imposed a federal prison term of more than six years. The sentence follows Gallarzo’s 2023 guilty plea and her earlier conviction in Texas. Federal identity theft charges carry substantial prison terms, particularly when tied to roles that affect public safety.
Implications for health-care employers and patients
The case highlights the ongoing challenge of verifying credentials in health-care settings. Employers, regulators and licensing bodies face pressure to prevent imposters from gaining access to clinical roles. For facilities that hire clinical staff, robust credential checks and cross-jurisdiction verification are essential to reduce risk.
- Verify licences directly with the issuing state or regulatory body rather than relying solely on presented documents.
- Use national databases and fingerprint-based background checks where available.
- Confirm employment history and references, including telephone verification with previous employers.
Patients and families can also ask about a provider’s credentials and the facility’s verification processes. Transparent hiring practices help maintain trust and reduce the likelihood that unlicensed individuals will deliver care.
Broader context
Impersonation of licensed health professionals has appeared in multiple jurisdictions. Cases like Gallarzo’s prompt regulators to review how licences are issued and verified across state lines. The balance regulators seek is preventing fraud while ensuring staffing needs are met.
Gallarzo’s sentence closes this chapter of criminal proceedings, while raising questions about enforcement and oversight that health-care providers and regulators continue to confront.
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