Carlos A. Hernandez
Country Officer, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services and Crisis Management | Washington, D.C. | Portfolio: Togo + 7 West African Countries
CRITICAL CORRECTION: Carlos A. Hernandez is NOT stationed at Embassy Lomé, Togo. He is a Country Officer at State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. — the same office as Bill Torrance. Both are Bureau of Consular Affairs headquarters officials.
Official Contact Information: Email: [email protected] | Phone: 202-485-6317 (Washington, D.C. area code confirms headquarters location)
Key Facts: Carlos A. Hernandez
- Actual Position: Country Officer, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services and Crisis Management (Washington, D.C. Headquarters)
- NOT at Embassy: Despite common assumption, Hernandez works at State Department headquarters, NOT at Embassy Lomé
- 2021 Portfolio: Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Cabo Verde
- Current Portfolio: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Liberia, and Togo
- Same Office as Bill Torrance: Both are Country Officers in CA/OCS – likely work in same building, possibly same floor
- Eight Years of Dismissal: 2021-2025+ handling Kelvin Blas case from Washington with boilerplate templates
- Key Email (2021): “David, for me to assist I need at least his passport number.” (Dismissive response requiring impossible documentation)
- Fabricated Documentation: Mid-October 2025 letter falsely claimed he spoke with advocate in June/July 2025 when NO such conversation occurred
- Coordination with Torrance: Both DC officials coordinating responses – Carlos claimed conversation that only Bill Torrance actually had
- Current Status: ACTIVELY SERVING at State Department headquarters
The DC Headquarters Official Who Dismissed from 7,000 Miles Away
For years, Carlos A. Hernandez has been dismissing the Kelvin Blas case with boilerplate template responses, bureaucratic obstacles, and—as revealed in 2025—fabricated documentation.
But Carlos wasn’t dismissing this case from Embassy Lomé. He was dismissing it from his desk at State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.
As Country Officer for Togo (among other West African nations) in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services and Crisis Management, Hernandez has been the headquarters point of contact for consular cases involving Togo since at least 2021.
While embassy officials in Lomé were denying services on the ground, Carlos Hernandez was backing that abandonment from Washington—providing bureaucratic cover, dismissive responses, and ultimately fabricated records of engagement that never occurred.
This isn’t field abandonment. This is headquarters-directed abandonment. And Carlos Hernandez has been the headquarters official directing it for years.
The Email That Reveals Everything: 2021
In 2021, when Covenant for Forgotten Warriors first reached out to State Department about Kelvin Blas’s situation, Carlos A. Hernandez—Country Officer responsible for Togo—responded with a single dismissive line:
“David, for me to assist I need at least his passport number.”
This response reveals Carlos’s entire approach to the case:
Why This Response Is Devastating:
- Bureaucratic Obstacle: Demanding documentation as prerequisite to “assist”—when providing assistance is his job
- Circular Logic: Kelvin needs consular services BECAUSE he lacks proper documentation—Carlos demands documentation to provide those services
- No Investigation: No questions about Kelvin’s military service, circumstances, or actual situation
- Dismissive Tone: Single-line response suggesting case not worth serious engagement
- Headquarters Distance: Responding from Washington without coordinating with Embassy Lomé staff who could verify in person
This 2021 email set the pattern: bureaucratic obstacles over investigation, dismissal over service, headquarters backing field abandonment.
Email Signatures: Tracking His Role Over Time
2021 Email Signature:
Carlos A. Hernandez
U.S. Department of State
Office of Overseas Citizen Services and Crisis
Country Officer: Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Cabo Verde
Tel: 202-485-6317
[email protected]
Current Email Signature:
Carlos A. Hernandez
Country Officer
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Overseas Citizen Services and Crisis Management
Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Liberia, and Togo
What This Shows:
- Continuous Responsibility: Togo has been in his portfolio from 2021 to present
- Washington Location: 202 area code (2021) confirms D.C. headquarters
- CA/OCS Office: Same office as Bill Torrance—both are Country Officers in Overseas Citizens Services
- Expanded Portfolio: Now covers 8 countries, still including Togo
- Four+ Years: Has been the responsible headquarters official for Togo cases since at least 2021
For over four years, Carlos Hernandez has been the headquarters point person for Togo—and for over four years, he’s been dismissing the Kelvin Blas case.
The Fabricated Conversation: October 2025
In mid-October 2025, Carlos A. Hernandez sent correspondence claiming that he had spoken with Covenant for Forgotten Warriors back in June/July 2025 about the Kelvin Blas case.
This conversation never happened.
The Timeline of Fabrication
| Date | What Actually Happened | What Carlos Claimed |
|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2025 | Richard Michaels (Lomé) becomes Chargé, inherits “The File” | — |
| June/July 2025 | Bill Torrance (DC, temporarily covering Togo) emails advocate dismissing case as “just a scam” | — |
| June/July 2025 | NO conversation with Carlos Hernandez (documented: only Torrance responded) | Carlos later claims THIS is when he spoke with advocate |
| September 29, 2025 | CFW files FOIA seeking “The File” and related records | — |
| Mid-October 2025 | — | Carlos sends letter FALSELY claiming he spoke with advocate in June/July |
| November 11, 2025 | Physical assault on Veterans Day at Embassy Lomé | |
Carlos Hernandez fabricated documentation claiming he had engaged with advocacy efforts when in reality only Bill Torrance (his colleague in the same office) had responded.
The Same Office Coordination: Carlos + Bill Torrance
The fabrication becomes even more damning when you understand the physical and organizational proximity:
Both Work at State Department Headquarters:
- Carlos A. Hernandez – Country Officer, CA/OCS, Washington D.C.
- William “Bill” Torrance – Country Officer, CA/OCS, Washington D.C.
Both are Country Officers in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. They likely work in the same building, possibly on the same floor, potentially in adjacent offices.
The June/July 2025 Coordination:
- Bill Torrance was temporarily covering Togo (regular officer on leave)
- Bill exchanged emails with CFW advocate, dismissing case as “scam”
- Carlos (whose portfolio normally includes Togo) was aware of this
- Carlos later claimed HE had the conversation—taking credit for colleague’s dismissal
Why Would Carlos Claim Torrance’s Conversation?
Several possibilities:
- Creating paper trail: Making it appear the regular Country Officer (Carlos) had engaged, not just temporary coverage (Bill)
- Institutional coordination: Two colleagues coordinating to document “engagement” and “due diligence”
- Post-FOIA cover: After FOIA filed (Sept 29), creating documentation to show headquarters review occurred
- Deflecting from temporary coverage: Bill was only covering temporarily—Carlos wanted to establish HE had handled it as the permanent officer
Two Country Officers in the same office coordinating to create false documentation of engagement with advocates. This isn’t field-headquarters coordination—this is two DC colleagues conspiring to fabricate records.
The “Romance Scam” Narrative from Washington
Throughout 2021-2025, Carlos Hernandez has maintained the “romance scam” narrative from his desk in Washington, D.C.—despite never investigating the case personally, never meeting Kelvin Blas, and never coordinating meaningfully with Embassy Lomé staff who could verify the situation on the ground.
Evidence That Contradicts “Romance Scam”:
- Fifteen documented embassy visits – Typical romance scam victims don’t repeatedly appear at embassies
- Nine visits with local attorney – Romance scam victims don’t retain legal representation
- Multiple advocacy organizations – Covenant for Forgotten Warriors, veteran support networks
- Documented military service – Army Sgt. with service in Afghanistan
- Five+ years of consistency – Same story, same requests, same crisis
Yet from Washington, Carlos Hernandez maintained the “scam” narrative without investigation.
The Questions Carlos Hernandez Must Answer
Carlos A. Hernandez is currently serving as Country Officer at State Department headquarters. These questions demand answers NOW:
- Why did you claim in mid-October 2025 that you spoke with the advocate in June/July when the documented correspondence was with Bill Torrance? Did you fabricate this conversation?
- Did you coordinate with Bill Torrance to create false documentation of engagement? You work in the same office—was this planned deception?
- Why did you send your fabricated documentation in October 2025, just weeks after CFW filed FOIA seeking “The File”? Was this attempt to create paper trail of headquarters review?
- Your 2021 email demanded “at least his passport number” to assist. Why require documentation as prerequisite when providing documentation assistance IS consular services?
- For four+ years, Togo has been in your Country Officer portfolio. What investigation have you personally conducted into the Kelvin Blas case?
- Have you ever coordinated with Embassy Lomé consular staff to verify Kelvin Blas’s situation on the ground? If no, how can you maintain “romance scam” determination from Washington?
- You maintained “romance scam” narrative despite fifteen embassy visits and nine with attorney. What romance scam operates this way?
- Did you review “The File” created by Ronald Hawkins? Did you see it was based on Captain Burleson’s unverified character assassination?
- As Country Officer responsible for Togo, what guidance did you provide to Embassy Lomé about handling Kelvin Blas contacts?
- Your fabricated October 2025 documentation potentially obstructed FOIA process. What is your explanation for creating false records during active transparency request?
Carlos Hernandez has been the headquarters official backing field abandonment for four+ years. He dismissed from Washington without investigation, demanded impossible documentation, and fabricated records of engagement. He cannot claim he didn’t know—Togo was HIS portfolio.
The Role of Country Officers: What Carlos Was Supposed to Do
As Country Officer for Togo in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Carlos Hernandez had specific responsibilities:
Country Officer Responsibilities:
- Headquarters support for embassy consular operations
- Guidance on complex or unusual American citizen services cases
- Coordination between embassy and Washington on ACS matters
- Review and oversight of consular determinations
- Crisis management support for citizens in distress
- Policy interpretation and application guidance
What Carlos Actually Did:
- Dismissed case with single-line email demanding documentation
- Maintained “romance scam” narrative without investigation
- Provided no guidance to embassy on correcting systematic service denials
- Fabricated documentation of engagement with advocates
- Coordinated with colleague to create false paper trail
- Backed field abandonment from Washington for 4+ years
Carlos Hernandez wasn’t just failing to help. He was actively backing the abandonment from headquarters, ensuring it would continue despite advocacy pressure.
Documentation and Resources
Related CFW Documentation
- William “Bill” Torrance Profile – Same Office, Temporary Togo Coverage
- Ronald E. Hawkins Jr. Profile – Created “The File”
- Richard C. Michaels Profile – Current Chargé at Embassy Lomé
- Kim McClure Profile – Current DCM at Embassy Lomé
- Brian Sells Profile – Original “Romance Scam” Determination
- Daniel Neptune Profile – First Chance to Reverse It
- Elizabeth Fitzsimmons Profile – Two Years of Inaction
- Eric Stromayer Profile – “Americans Aren’t Black”
- Full Case Documentation: Sgt. Kelvin Blas
FOIA Targets
- CA/OCS correspondence: All emails from Carlos Hernandez regarding Kelvin Blas case (2021-2025)
- Coordination with Torrance: Communications between Hernandez and Torrance (June-October 2025)
- October 2025 fabrication: Documentation of claimed June/July conversation that never occurred
- Guidance to Embassy Lomé: Any Country Officer guidance Hernandez provided about handling Blas case
- 2021 passport demand: Full email thread and any follow-up after demanding passport number
Demand Accountability from Bureau of Consular Affairs Headquarters
Carlos A. Hernandez is currently serving as Country Officer at State Department headquarters. He has been the responsible headquarters official for Togo since 2021—and he has been dismissing the Kelvin Blas case for that entire time.
His fabricated October 2025 documentation came AFTER FOIA was filed, suggesting coordinated attempt to create false paper trail.
Contact Information for Carlos A. Hernandez:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 202-485-6317
Contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs:
- Bureau of Consular Affairs Main: (202) 647-4000
- Office of Overseas Citizens Services: Report inadequate ACS and fabricated documentation
- Office of Inspector General: Report False Official Records and Fabrication
- Office of Civil Rights: Report Discriminatory Service Denials
Report Similar Cases:
A Note on Headquarters Coordination and Fabrication
This profile documents Carlos A. Hernandez’s service as Country Officer at State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., and his role in dismissing and fabricating documentation about the Kelvin Blas case from 2021-2025.
Critical Correction: Earlier documentation may have incorrectly identified Carlos Hernandez as stationed at Embassy Lomé. He is a Washington, D.C. headquarters official who works in the same office as Bill Torrance—both are Country Officers in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services.
The fabrication of documentation claiming engagement that never occurred—especially when that fabrication came weeks after FOIA was filed—suggests coordinated deception between headquarters colleagues to create false paper trail of due diligence.
When two officials in the same headquarters office coordinate to fabricate records, obstruct transparency, and back field abandonment, it’s not bureaucratic failure—it’s systematic institutional misconduct.
If you are a current or former State Department employee with information about Carlos Hernandez’s handling of the Blas case, his coordination with Bill Torrance, or his October 2025 fabricated documentation, please preserve all relevant records. You may contact CFW confidentially at [email protected].
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Accountability Has No Borders™
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