Woodlands Man Convicted of Using Fake CIA Credentials

HOUSTON—Paul Alan White, aka Jonathan Alan Davenport, 57, of The Woodlands, has entered a plea of guilty to two counts alleging he impersonated a public servant, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The plea was entered late yesterday before U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr.

According to the factual basis in support of the plea, White posed as a CIA agent to others at different times during 2011 and 2012 in order to obtain personal information from individuals and to have authorities give him privileges as well as official record documents.

During March 2011, White had convinced a co-worker that he worked with Special Ops within the CIA and that they had to fill out an application form for a security clearance with the CIA. White apparently obtained the form from the Internet. The co-worker completed the form, which included personal information, such as names of family members and friends, education, employment history, and personal identification data such as a Social Security number, a Texas driver’s license number, and a U.S. passport number. As directed by White, the co-worker also ordered their own credit report and gave White a copy of their passport.

The next month, White also attempted to recruit the co-worker’s friend from the co-worker’s Facebook site, using an alias. White reported to be conducting a reference check and also tried to recruit them for a position with the CIA. At the request and demand of White, pretending to act as an agent under the authority of the CIA, the friend sent the security clearance form via FedEx with their personal information on it along with a copies of their birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license, and passport.

Also that month, White introduced himself to Texas Department of Public Safety troopers as an agent working for the CIA. White showed a badge and a credential thought to be from the CIA and stated he had retired from CIA and was rehired to run “backgrounds” on people. White, while pretending to be an officer and employee of the United States, asked the trooper to run a criminal history check on his co-worker. White represented the request as an “official request” from a CIA officer. The trooper did so and provided the result.

Later, the CIA was contacted to conduct a check for any and all employment either directly or indirectly of White, aka Davenport. The CIA confirmed he did not work for the agency in any capacity. A search warrant was executed at White’s home revealed several false and fraudulent purported official U.S. government identifications and badges allegedly belonging to the CIA.

Judge Werlein has set sentencing for June 28, 2013, at which time he faces up to three years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine on each count. White will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Joe Porto is prosecuting the case. AUSA Ken Dies handled the hearing yesterday.