Woman Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Posing as Licensed Nurse Across Multiple States

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — A woman who repeatedly impersonated licensed medical professionals and worked inside healthcare facilities without proper training has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison, following a pattern of deception that spanned multiple states and years.

Leticia Gallarzo, 51, formerly of Wayland, Michigan, was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence was imposed in the Western District of Michigan and reflects both the seriousness of the offense and Gallarzo’s extensive prior history of similar conduct.

Impersonation Inside Healthcare Facilities

Court records show that between August 2022 and May 2023, Gallarzo obtained employment at a Michigan nursing home by assuming the identity of a licensed registered nurse. She applied for the position through an online job platform, submitting fabricated credentials, including a false nursing license, diploma, and identification documents designed to pass employment verification checks.

After securing the position, Gallarzo was later promoted to unit manager, a role that placed her in a supervisory position over other healthcare staff and residents. While employed, she conducted patient assessments, administered medications, started intravenous lines, and carried out other duties normally reserved for trained and licensed nursing professionals.

As performance concerns emerged, Gallarzo was eventually demoted. She then sought employment elsewhere, where a prospective employer identified discrepancies in her credentials and alerted authorities.

Flight and Continued Fraud While Awaiting Sentencing

Federal charges were filed on September 26, 2023, and Gallarzo entered a guilty plea the following month. However, while awaiting sentencing, she fled the jurisdiction and resumed fraudulent activity.

Despite already facing federal charges, Gallarzo again assumed false medical identities, obtaining employment as both a registered nurse and a physician assistant in Illinois and California. Authorities ultimately located and apprehended her near Los Angeles, after which she was returned to Michigan for sentencing.

Pattern of Repeat Offenses

The case marks the third time Gallarzo has been convicted for falsely presenting herself as a licensed nurse.

• In 2016, she was convicted in Kent County, Michigan, for impersonating a licensed nurse.
• In 2017, she was convicted again by federal authorities in the Southern District of Texas for similar conduct.
• The current case reflects a continuation of the same behavior, despite prior convictions and incarceration.

Public Safety Implications

While investigators did not identify confirmed instances of physical harm directly linked to Gallarzo’s actions, authorities emphasized that the risk was significant. Licensed nurses routinely make clinical decisions with life-or-death consequences, and the presence of an untrained individual in such roles represents a serious breach of patient safety and institutional trust.

Healthcare credential fraud cases are treated with heightened concern due to the potential for widespread harm, particularly in long-term care and nursing facilities where patients are often medically vulnerable.

Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Detroit Division, Grand Rapids Field Office, with prosecution handled in the Western District of Michigan. Gallarzo will remain in federal custody as she serves her sentence.

No additional defendants have been identified in connection with the case.

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