An Anchorage police officer accused of being an illegal immigrant who stole a U.S. citizen's identity previously worked as a city bus driver, maintaining an excellent driving record throughout his six-year employment.

The driver known as Rafael Espinoza left his job as an Anchorage bus driver in 2005 to become a police officer.

The Mexico-born officer's real name is Rafael Mora-Lopez, a discovery made after he applied for a passport renewal at the same time the real Rafael Espinoza did, authorities said. The real Espinoza has a dual citizenship and lives outside of the U.S.

Mora-Lopez, 47, was arrested last week and is charged with federal passport fraud, which carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence. He has pleaded not guilty and is out on bail under home-confinement and electronic monitoring.