Foreign Nationals Sentenced for Trafficking Identities of Puerto Rican US Citizens

Five foreign nationals were sentenced to prison for their respective roles in trafficking the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico; Director John Morton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Postal Inspector Guy J. Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Scott P. Bultrowicz, Director of the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Richard Weber.

Daniel Aparicio-Lara, 29, a Mexican national formerly of Burlington, N.C., was sentenced Tuesday, December 18, 2012, to 66 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder in the Middle District of North Carolina. In addition to his prison term, Aparicio-Lara was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $140,800 in proceeds. On Sept. 18, 2012, Aparicio-Lara pleaded guilty in front of Judge Schroeder to one count of conspiracy to commit identification fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Manuel Guzman-Santos, 37, a Dominican national formerly of Worcester, Mass., and Marco Pena, 37, a Dominican national formerly of Dorchester, Mass., were sentenced Monday, December 17, 2012, by U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro in the District of Massachusetts. Both Guzman-Santos and Pena were sentenced to serve 30 months in prison. On Aug. 2, 2012, Guzman-Santos and Pena each pleaded guilty in front of Judge Tauro to one count of conspiracy to commit identification fraud.

Adelfo Perez-Garcia, 36, a Mexican national formerly of Seymour, Ind., and Alma Yesenia Garcia-Ramirez, 29, a Mexican national formerly of Crystal Lake, Ill., were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí in the District of Puerto Rico. Perez-Garcia was sentenced to serve 24 months and one day in prison and Garcia-Ramirez was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison. Judge Gelpí ordered the removal of both defendants from the United States after the completion of their sentences and ordered that Garcia-Ramirez forfeit $35,900 in proceeds. On Aug. 28, 2012, Perez-Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit identification fraud in the District of Puerto Rico in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll. On Sept. 4, 2012, Garcia-Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain in the District of Puerto Rico before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce J. McGiverin.

The five defendants were charged in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico Mar. 22, 2012. To date, a total of 53 individuals have been charged for their roles in the identity trafficking scheme, and 23 defendants have pleaded guilty.

Court documents allege that individuals located in the Savarona area of Caguas, Puerto Rico, obtained Puerto Rican identities and corresponding identity documents. Other conspirators located in various cities throughout the United States (identity brokers) allegedly solicited customers and sold Social Security cards and corresponding Puerto Rico birth certificates for prices ranging from $700 to $2,500 per set. The superseding indictment alleges that identity brokers ordered the identity documents from Savarona suppliers, on behalf of the customers, by making coded telephone calls. The conspirators are charged with using text messages, money transfer services and express, priority or regular U.S. mail to complete their illicit transactions.

Court documents allege that some identity brokers assumed a Puerto Rican identity themselves and used that identity in connection with the trafficking operation. Their customers allegedly generally obtained the identity documents to assume the identity of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and to obtain additional identification documents, such as legitimate state driver's licenses. Some customers allegedly obtained the documents to commit financial fraud and attempted to obtain a U.S. passport.

According to court documents, various identity brokers were operating in Rockford, Ill.; DeKalb, Ill.; Aurora, Ill.; Seymour, Ind.; Columbus, Ind.; Indianapolis; Hartford, Conn.; Clewiston, Fla.; Lilburn, Ga.; Norcross, Ga.; Salisbury, Md.; Columbus, Ohio; Fairfield, Ohio; Dorchester, Mass.; Lawrence, Mass.; Salem, Mass.; Worcester, Mass.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Nebraska City, Neb.; Elizabeth, N.J.; Burlington, N.C.; Hickory, N.C.; Hazelton, Pa.; Philadelphia; Houston; Abingdon, Va.; Albertville, Ala.; and Providence, R.I.

According to court documents, Aparicio-Lara admitted that he was an identity broker who operated in North Carolina and Missouri; Guzman-Santos and Pena admitted that they were identity brokers who operated in Massachusetts; and Perez-Garcia admitted that he was an identity broker who operated in Indiana. Garcia-Ramirez admitted to assisting an Illinois-based identity broker and transferring money on behalf of the organization. The five defendants used either a real Texan or Puerto Rican identity themselves to commit identification fraud and to facilitate their identity trafficking business.

The charges are the result of Operation Island Express, an ongoing, nationally-coordinated investigation led by HSI Chicago and USPIS, DSS and IRS-CI offices in Chicago, in coordination with HSI San Juan. The Illinois Secretary of State Police (Elgin, Ill.) Police Department; Seymour (Ind.) Police Department; and Indiana State Police provided substantial assistance. HSI Dominican Republic and International Organized Crime Intelligence, and Operations Center as well as various ICE, USPIS, DSS and IRS-CI offices around the country provided invaluable assistance.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys James S. Yoon, Hope S. Olds, Courtney B. Schaefer, and Christina Giffin of the Justice Department Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, with the assistance of Acting Deputy Chief Jeannette Gunderson of the Criminal Division's Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, and the support of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Attorney's Offices in the Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Indiana, District of Connecticut, District of Massachusetts, District of Nebraska, Middle District of North Carolina, Southern District of Ohio, District of Rhode Island, Southern District of Texas and Western District of Virginia provided substantial assistance.

Potential victims and the public may obtain information about the case at: www.justice.gov/criminal/vns/caseup/beltrerj.html. Anyone who believes their identity may have been compromised in relation to this investigation may contact the ICE toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) and its online tip form at www.ice.gov/tipline. Anyone who may have information about particular crimes in this case should also report it to the ICE tip line or website.

Anyone who believes that they have been a victim of identity theft, or wants information about preventing identity theft, may obtain helpful information and complaint forms on various government websites including the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Website, www.ftc.gov/idtheft. 

Fraudulent Document Mill Shut Down by HSI

Two Fresno-area residents were arraigned Friday, December 14, 2012, on federal charges stemming from a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that allegedly revealed they operated a fraudulent document mill.

Antonio Mora-Cruz, 45, and Soledad Vargas-Herrera, 59, both of Madera, were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shelia K. Oberto on a 12-count indictment charging them with conspiring to produce and sell false identification documents. Mora-Cruz was also charged with being a deported alien found in the United States. The two defendants have been in custody since their arrest Dec. 4, 2012.

According to the indictment, between November and December, Mora-Cruz and Vargas-Herrera produced false identification documents at a residence in Madera they used as a fraudulent document mill. During the course of the conspiracy, customers would place orders for false documents directly with Mora-Cruz and Vargas-Herrera. The defendants took photographs and biographical information from the customers and used the information to produce fraudulent Social Security cards and alien registration cards, also known as "green cards." Mora-Cruz and Vargas-Herrera then delivered the completed false documents to customers, charging approximately $120 for a set of counterfeit cards.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Baker is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

State Official Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Fraudulent Licenses for Illegal Aliens

An employee at a contracted state license office pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, December 11, 2012, to conspiracy to unlawfully assist more than 100 illegal aliens obtain fraudulent Missouri driver's licenses.

This guilty plea resulted from an extensive investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Revenue's Compliance and Investigation Bureau, and numerous other federal, state and local investigative agencies.

Thomas Richard McNamara III, 26, of St. Joseph, Mo., pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully produce identification documents, to unlawfully transfer the means of identification of another person, and to commit Social Security fraud.

McNamara was employed at a contracted license office in St. Joseph during the time of the conspiracy. In September 2009, McNamara began conspiring with others to provide Missouri driver's or non-driver's licenses to illegal aliens who were not legally entitled to them based on the false supporting identity documentation provided.

Based on this operation, illegal aliens traveled across the United States to obtain licenses from this license office by using unlawfully obtained birth certificates and Social Security cards. It is estimated that more than 100 Missouri licenses had been unlawfully issued to illegal aliens as part of this conspiracy.

According to McNamara, it was common knowledge among the employees at the license office that co-conspirators were assisting illegal aliens to unlawfully obtain licenses.

McNamara admitted that he was paid $50 to $100 each time he accepted fraudulent documents from illegal aliens, who were escorted to the office by co-conspirators disguised as translators. These fraudulent documents included invalid Puerto Rican birth certificates and certain state-issued birth certificates in the names of other persons. After accepting these documents, McNamara issued licenses to the illegal aliens who had assumed the identities of others. The licenses could then be used by the illegal aliens to remain in the United States, obtain employment, and for other unlawful purposes.

McNamara admitted that he accepted improper documents about two to three times per week, but he didn't do this every week. Co-conspirators often called McNamara before bringing aliens to the license office to make sure he was working, and to inform him they were bringing clients. McNamara met with co-conspirators on numerous occasions during non-work hours at locations other than the licensing office to receive payment.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, McNamara must pay a money judgment of at least $125,000.

Under federal statutes, McNamara is also subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the U.S. Probation Office completes a pre-sentence investigation.

Numerous law enforcement agencies assisted the HSI-led investigation, including the following agencies: Buchanan County (Mo.) Sheriff's Department; the St. Joseph (Mo.) Police Department; the Platte County (Mo.) Sheriff's Department; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the U.S. Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

11 Arrested for Immigration and Document Fraud Conspiracy, Attempted to Bribe USCIS Employee

Eleven men are in federal custody following their arrest Wednesday, November 28, 2012, in Myrtle Beach by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their attempt to fraudulently acquire immigration documents.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for South Carolina have charged the men, 10 from Israel and one from Kenya, for knowingly conspiring with each other to procure by fraud resident alien and employment authorization documents.

The defendants, none of whom are from South Carolina, are accused of travelling to Myrtle Beach to meet with who they thought was a corrupt U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employee. The men are alleged to have paid the supposedly corrupt employee varying amounts of money, typically $5,000 or $6,000, for the valid immigration documents. Following the arrest operation, HSI special agents seized more than $120,000 from the defendants.

"Defending the integrity of our immigration system is a key component of our national security system," said Brock. D. Nicholson, special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta. "Those who seek to corrupt our system must be swiftly identified and brought to justice."

The individuals arrested are charged under a criminal indictment, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defendants are:

·                             Nevo Yosef Katzav

·                             Amir Arpally

·                             Assi David Nishri

·                             Einan Salach

·                             Idan Oren

·                             Omri Lipman

·                             Anat Bor

·                             Florence Tiego

·                             Lior Shriki

·                             Amos Shmilovich

·                             Eran Kol

Woman Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Document Fraud Scheme

A Tennessee woman pleaded guilty Wednesday, November 14, 2012, to paying approximately $30,000 in bribes to a former Tennessee Department of Public Safety supervisory license examiner in exchange for fraudulent licenses and permits. The guilty plea follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the FBI and Tennessee Department of Safety.

Anny Castillo, 29, of Antioch, Tenn., a citizen of the Dominican Republic and lawful U.S. resident, pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy to unlawfully produce state identification documents, and to selling Social Security cards and citizenship documents.

"Fraudulent documents threaten the security of all citizens by making it easier for criminals to commit a range of offenses from identity theft to terrorism," said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans, who oversees a five state area of responsibility including Tennessee. "This guilty plea should serve as a reminder that HSI and its law enforcement partners continually work together to identify and prosecute criminals who violate the public trust."

According to court documents, Castillo illegally obtained and sold genuine identification and citizenship documents to illegal aliens between August 2011 and April 2012. Undercover federal agents posing as illegal aliens subsequently learned from Castillo that she could also obtain fraudulent state licenses and permits for an additional fee.

Undercover federal agents accompanied Castillo to a driver testing center in Nashville where Larry Murphy, 54, of Antioch, Tenn., worked as a supervisory driver's license examiner. There Castillo paid Murphy more than $15,000 to issue fraudulent licenses to the undercover agents. Castillo admitted in court she and Murphy engaged in approximately 50 total transactions involving at least $30,000 in illegal payments.

Castillo and Murphy were both indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2012. Murphy pleaded guilty Nov. 6 and both are scheduled to be sentenced in February. Castillo and Murphy each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Business Owner Sentenced for Illegal Alien Employment Ring

An Arkansas business owner was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison Monday, September 24, 2012, for providing counterfeit immigration documents and Social Security cards to illegal aliens and then employing them at various locations across three states. The sentence follows an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Valentin Gutierrez, 53, owner of Action Staffing and Action Labor Contractors in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama, was sentenced as a result of his May 10 guilty plea to one count of harboring and shielding illegal aliens for financial gain. In addition to the sentence Gutierrez was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and to serve two years supervised release upon his release from prison.

HSI special agents received information in November 2008 that Gutierrez was employing illegal aliens and providing them with counterfeit work authorization documents. HSI subsequently arrested 13 foreign nationals associated with the scheme. Investigators also determined from financial records that Gutierrez made at least $6.4 million from May to December 2008 as a result of selling illegal alien labor to various companies. HSI seized Gutierrez's bank accounts and recovered approximately $117,000 in forfeited funds traced to harboring and shielding illegal aliens.

The FBI along with task force officers from the Rogers Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Springdale Police Department assisted with the case.

Scott Crawford, resident agent in charge of the HSI Fayetteville field office said this successful prosecution resulted from a coordinated effort of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and this case illustrates the serious consequences of harboring and shielding illegal aliens.

"This case shows that individuals who violate immigration laws face significant penalties along with the forfeiture of proceeds gained as a result of their criminal activity," said Crawford. "This sentence serves as a stark reminder that employing illegal aliens or assisting others in doing so is a serious crime that carries serious penalties. Federal, state and local law enforcement partners work vigilantly each day and will continue to identify these criminals and ensure they face justice."

Arrests for 4 Floridians in Immigration Fraud Scam

Four individuals were arrested in Naples, Fla., Aug. 31, for conspiring to commit immigration fraud.  These arrests resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

The indictment alleges the defendants conspired to sell fraudulent Cuban birth certificates and to assist in the preparation of fraudulent applications for immigration benefits. 

Nelson Daniel Silvestri Soutto, 53,  Laura Maria Ponce Santos, 59, and Amelia Osorio, 60,  all of Naples, Fla., Fidel Morejon Vega, 40, of Kissimmee, Fla.,  were indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami for conspiring to commit immigration fraud.  Vega was also charged with three counts of false impersonation of an officer of the United States. 

US National of Ethiopian Descent Arrested for Citizenship Fraud and War Crimes

A local resident, of Ethiopian descent, was arrested without incident the week ending in Friday, August 31, 2012, by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for making false statements on immigration documents and identity theft. The charges relate to mass murders committed throughout Ethiopia during the late 1970s.

U.S. Attorney John Walsh, District of Colorado, and HSI Denver Special Agent in Charge Kumar Kibble announced the arrest of John Doe, aka Habteab Berhe Temanu, aka Habteab B Temanu, aka "TUFA," aka Kefelegn Alemu, aka Kefelegn Alemu Worku, who is about 68 years old.

Doe appeared in court Aug. 30 for a detention hearing as well as arraignment, but that hearing was continued until Sept. 4.

The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver Aug. 20. He was arrested Aug. 24. Doe made his initial appearance Aug. 27 where he was advised of the charges pending against him.

According to the indictment, as well as other court documents, including an affidavit in support of a search warrant of the residence of Doe, the defendant knowingly possessed and used, and attempted to possess and use, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person, Habteab Berhe Temanu. The indictment further charges that he knew that other person to be a real person when he committed the felony violation of unlawfully procuring U.S. citizenship or naturalization.

Further, between Nov. 22, 2009 and March 2, 2010, Doe made false statements in connection with his application for naturalization which was submitted in November 2009, and he re-affirmed under penalty of perjury in March 2010, including falsely identifying himself as Habteab Berhe Temanu. He also falsely representing that he was the father of five children; and he falsely responded "no" to the question: "Have you ever persecuted (either directly or indirectly) any person because of race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?"

In May 2011, HSI received information from an informant who was a naturalized U.S. citizen, originally a native of Ethiopia, that he had recently encountered a person in Denver who he recognized as Kefelegn Alemu Worku. He claimed that Worku was a prison guard during a period in the late 1970s in Ethiopia known as the "Red Terror."

In the late 1970s in Ethiopia, Mengistu Haile Mariam assumed unofficial control of the Provisional Military Administrative Committee also known as the Dergue. The Dergue was a committee of nearly 120 military officers that established a Marxist regime and abolished Ethiopia's constitution.

They arrested the former emperor and members of the imperial government for alleged crimes against the Ethiopian people. Mengistu seized full control in 1977 which unleashed a two-year campaign known as the Red Terror.

During the Red Terror, tens of thousands of Ethiopian men, women and children – who were suspected of being members or supporters of the anti-Dergue group – were arrested, tortured and summarily executed. One prison that held, tortured and killed individuals was known as "Kebele 15" or "Kefetegna 15," which in English roughly translates as "Higher 15." This prison housed about 1,500 prisoners who had been imprisoned due to their political opinions and affiliations.

During the Red Terror, families of those who were killed or missing were often required to pay the government for the bullet used to kill their family member. Historical accounts indicate that a minimum of 10,000 people were killed in the city of Addis Ababa alone in 1977, with comparable victims likely in the provinces in 1977 and 1978.

The witness explained that he had become a political prisoner in Ethiopia in 1978 when he was arrested and sent to the Higher 15. He witnessed Worku torture fellow prisoners and learned that other prisoners were being executed at the hands of prison guards, including Worku. The informant managed to escape the prison in September 1979. Two additional Ethiopian refugees, who are now naturalized U.S. citizens, also identified the defendant as Worku and recounted how Worku had personally participated in beating and torturing them at the same prison during the same time period.

HSI special agents, using information obtained from the informant, charge that Doe is actually Kefelegn Alemu Worku, and Worku was using the identity of Habteab B Temanu. Immigration records confirmed that Doe, using Temanu's identity, came to the United States in July 2004 as a refugee. He lived in Denver until his indictment this month.

"Homeland Security Investigations will not allow international human rights violator fugitives to seek safe haven in the United States," said Kibble. "In addition to investigating these fugitives, HSI also works to strip the U.S. citizenship from these individuals who fraudulently obtained it."

"The United States' commitment to human dignity and freedom across the globe requires us to police our own borders against international criminals who use fraud and deceit to hide in our country," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. "This case demonstrates our commitment as a nation to upholding the rule of law by identifying and prosecuting human rights violators."

If convicted of unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization, Doe faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, he faces an additional two-year mandatory consecutive sentence over and above the sentence imposed for the underlying felony, as well as up to a $250,000 fine.

This case is being investigated by HSI.

The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenda Taylor and ICE Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lillian Alves.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

California Man Pleads Guilty to Forging Driver's Licenses

A Fresno man pleaded guilty Monday, August 20, 2012, in federal court to conspiring to unlawfully produce California driver's licenses, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Investigations Division, Office of Internal Affairs.

According to court documents, Yadwinder Singh, 50, recruited recipients in a scheme to sell fraudulently obtained commercial driver's licenses. Singh would pass on information he obtained from potential recipients to former DMV technician Alfonso Casarez, who then proceeded to alter the electronic DMV records to make it appear as though the recipients had passed the required written and behind-the-wheel tests, causing the DMV to automatically issue a genuine license.

Singh found his clients by waiting outside the Fresno DMV offices and approaching DMV visitors with an offer to assist them in obtaining commercial licenses without the need to pass the required tests. Another of his recruiting methods involved having clients complete a DMV application and receiving rudimentary instruction from Singh in operating a commercial truck. Upon giving Singh a substantial "tuition" payment, participants would be informed they had passed. A portion of that payment would go to Casarez, who would facilitate the unlawful issuance of the license.

Singh is schedule to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill Oct. 29. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry Z. Carbajal, III and Grant B. Rabenn.

New York Jeweler Arrested for Forging Government Seal

A jewelry wholesaler was arrested Sunday, August 5, 2012, for allegedly committing wire fraud and forging the seal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The arrest is a result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

Tejas Mehta, 36, the owner of Saritijediam Inc., doing business as Design Trends, is a jeweler who conducts business in Manhattan's diamond district. He is accused of allegedly forging the seal of CBP, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Mehta used the fraudulent CBP seal to allegedly steal approximately $1 million from his business associates and other diamond and precious stones wholesalers.

Mehta received diamonds, jewelry and precious stones from other wholesalers under consignment. Once in his possession, Mehta would sell the jewels. Instead of giving the proceeds to the owner of the merchandise as he had agreed to, Mehta allegedly falsely claimed that he could not return or sell the merchandise because it had been seized by U.S. authorities.

"The production and use of fictitious government documents and seals is a serious crime," said Terence S. Opiola, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility in the Northeast. "ICE OPR is committed to aggressively investigating these crimes and takes great pride in protecting the integrity of all ICE and CBP employees."

"IRS-Criminal Investigation is always eager to work with our federal law enforcement partners and share our financial investigative expertise," said Toni Weirauch, acting special agent in charge for IRS-CI in New York. "We are proud to work with ICE on this important investigation, especially because of its governmental integrity aspect."

According to court documents, one victim consigned $650,000 in diamonds to Mehta, who then allegedly made excuses and did not return the stones or any funds from the sale of the diamonds. Mehta told the victim's attorney that the stones had been seized by U.S. authorities. Mehta allegedly used the fraudulent seal to falsely state that the diamonds, precious stones and jewelry - which were consigned to him - had been seized by CBP.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

Two Illegal Aliens Sentenced for Extensive Immigration and Document Fraud Operation

Two Mexican nationals residing in Baltimore were sentenced to prison for conspiring to operate a document mill in Baltimore and selling thousands of fraudulent government identification documents manufactured as part of the conspiracy.

"Document fraud poses a severe threat to national security and puts the security of our communities at risk because it creates a vulnerability that may enable terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens to gain entry to and remain in the United States," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William Winter. "This investigation resulted in the dismantlement of a document fraud criminal organization based out of Maryland and the arrest of its leaders. Homeland Security Investigations will move aggressively to investigate and bring to justice those who potentially compromise the integrity of America's legal immigration system."

Miguel Reyes-Ontiveros, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles Jr., July 19 to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Adrian Badillo-Carrasco, aka "Rana," 36, was also sentenced by Judge Quarles July 17, to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants are in the United States illegally and face deportation upon completing their sentence.

According to the plea agreements and other court documents, responsibility for manufacturing identity documents – including permanent resident cards and Social Security cards – rotated among various individuals. From June 2008 through May 2010, Ivan Altamirano-Perez, aka "Elmer," 32, and his brother, Roberto Morales-Perez, aka "Piza," 26, received the income from manufacturing the identity documents. Beginning in May 2010 and continuing until their arrests, the Perez brothers shared the territory and income with Miguel Reyes-Ontiveros (collectively, the operators). The location of the manufacturing operation changed frequently to avoid detection.

In addition to manufacturing the documents, the operators sold the documents themselves or helped collect orders from salesmen. The defendants used a group of at least 10 individuals, including Badillo-Carrasco, to sell and distribute the fake identity documents. The documents were offered for sale and distributed in and around the 200 block of South Broadway in Baltimore.

According to their plea agreements, Badillo-Carrasco and the other salesmen solicited individuals in the Broadway territory to purchase the fake identification documents, either in person or by distributing business cards. The salesman would negotiate a price with the buyer, usually between $130 and $160, and obtain a picture and the information which the buyer wanted on the identification card. The salesman would then call in the order to the operator who was working that week. The completed identity document would subsequently be provided to the salesman to be sold to the buyer.

The defendants manufactured and sold thousands of fraudulent identification documents for which they are alleged to have received approximately $1.68 million.

On Feb 15, a defendant in a related case, Victor Lopez Escamilla, was convicted by a jury of manufacturing and trafficking in counterfeit identity documents, Social Security cards, and immigration identity documents, and was sentenced to 97 months in prison.

All of the nine defendants involved in the conspiracy have pleaded guilty in this case, and the remaining seven defendants are awaiting sentencing. Each faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to commit fraud and a maximum of 10 years in prison for fraud and misuse of immigration documents. In addition, the Perez brothers each face a maximum of five years in prison for Social Security fraud and Altamirano-Perez faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for identification document fraud. The defendants, all of whom are in the U.S. illegally, face deportation upon the completion of their sentences.

Anyone who has information on this type of fraud may contact ICE via its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423).

The investigation was conducted by HSI Baltimore and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General with the assistance of the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service, Washington Field Office; the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, Investigation and Security Services Division and the Baltimore County Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamera L. Fine and Judson T. Mihok.

Foreign Nationals Charged with Extensive Drug Trafficking and Identity Fraud Scheme

Eleven foreign nationals were charged Thursday, July 19, 2012, in a 90-count superseding federal indictment alleging they conspired to distribute cocaine and engaged in tax fraud, money laundering, identity theft and other financial crimes.

The indictment comes following a multi-agency Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDEF) investigation, stemming from an initial Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Anchorage police drug probe. The magnitude of the financial crimes, money laundering and identity theft, resulted in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) taking a lead role.

According to the indictment, the Dominican and Mexican-national defendants engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing false tax returns and illegally claiming millions of dollars in tax refunds. Investigators believe that between January and March the defendants conducted their scheme using names and Social Security numbers of individuals from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"Today's indictment is a clear warning that anyone who steals the identities of innocent taxpayers and uses the information for personal profit will be aggressively pursued, investigated and prosecuted, in Alaska or throughout the United States," U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler said. "This case is an example of how interagency cooperation and teamwork can successfully bring down an entire organized criminal conspiracy."

Three laptop computers seized by investigators contained information for approximately $19 million in fraudulent refund claims, 2,600 stolen identities including individual names, Social Security numbers and other identity information. It is also alleged that one or more of the defendants obtained the physical addresses used on the tax returns by stealing mail from mailboxes in and around the Anchorage area.

The defendants obtained Alaska identification cards using the stolen identities, which were necessary to open the numerous bank accounts needed to cash their tax refund checks. They also falsely claimed to be U.S. citizens to obtain the identity documents and open the accounts.

"These criminals illegally posed as U.S. citizens and exploited our financial system for personal gain," said Brad Bench, special agent in charge of HSI Seattle, who oversees HSI investigations in Alaska. "By pooling our unique resources, legal authorities and expertise, HSI and the IRS were able to dismantle a significant scheme to defraud the people of the United States."

"The charges brought forth today against these 11 individuals serve as another reminder that IRS Criminal Investigation is aggressively pursuing those who choose to defraud the government and disrupt the lives of innocent taxpayers," stated Richard Weber, IRS Criminal Investigations chief.

"Drug traffickers' greed clearly has no limits, as evidenced by this investigation," said Douglas James DEA acting special agent in charge. "The DEA is proud of its partnership with the Anchorage Police Department, which brought this case to their federal counterparts, exposing this multi-faceted criminal organization."

The indictment also charges various defendants with submitting false claims for refund, possessing stolen mail, making false claims of U.S. citizenship, committing passport fraud, making false statements to banks and credit unions, and passing forged U.S. Treasury checks, as well as aggravated identity theft.

The fraud charges each carry maximum penalties of between two and 30 years imprisonment, in addition to the five-year mandatory minimum prison term required upon conviction on the drug charges.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service also investigated. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska and the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division.

An indictment is merely a formal accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Chicago Man Sentenced for Employment Fraud, Immigration Fraud

A local man was sentenced Wednesday, May 16, to three years in federal prison for engaging in a fraud scheme that caused the Illinois Department of Employment Insurance (IDES) to pay about $480,000 in unemployment insurance payments to more than 55 ineligible claimants who were not legally allowed to work in the United States.

The sentence was announced by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; James Vanderberg, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General in Chicago; Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago; and Thomas P. Brady, inspector in charge of the U.S. Postal inspection Service in Chicago.

The defendant, Roberto Cisneros, pleaded guilty to mail fraud in January and was sentenced May 16 by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber. Cisneros admitted that more than half of the fraudulently obtained proceeds, about $261,017, was deposited into bank accounts he controlled.

Cisneros, 34, who was in the country illegally when he was arrested in June 2011, has remained in federal custody and will be subject to deportation following completion of his sentence. He was ordered to pay restitution totaling $479,571 to IDES.

According to court documents, between 2006 and 2009 Cisneros accepted money to assist individuals whom he knew were ineligible for unemployment insurance payments by aiding a cohort in submitting fraudulent applications for benefits to an IDES employee for processing.

Unbeknownst to Cisneros, the individual to whom he provided the false applications had later begun cooperating with law enforcement. Cisneros knew that the claims he submitted and assisted in submitting for unemployment insurance were fraudulent because the claimants were not legally allowed to work in the United States due to their immigration status, making them ineligible to receive unemployment insurance payments.

Cisneros admitted assisting in obtaining unemployment insurance benefits on behalf of 57 individuals using Social Security numbers that did not match their names and/or dates of birth, numbers that were not issued by the Social Security Administration, or whose numbers matched their names but were not eligible to work in the United States.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Halley B. Guren and Matthew Getter, Northern District of Illinois, prosecuted the case.

Mexican National Living in N.Y. Arrested for Document Fraud

A Mexican national has been arrested by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for allegedly possessing, transferring, producing and selling fraudulent immigration and identification documents. A federal arrest and search warrant was executed at his residence in Lowville, N.Y., the morning of March 7.

Moises Velazquez-Jacobo, 36, an illegal alien from Mexico, who had been previously removed from the United States in 2007 and 2008, sold fraudulent identification documents, which included U.S. legal permanent resident cards and U.S. social security cards. The investigation, which began in late 2011, led to the purchase of false documents by a cooperating source of HSI. Velazquez-Jacobo faces up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and deportation to Mexico.

"This case highlights our commitment to protecting both the integrity of our immigration system and our national security," said Nick DiNicola, assistant special agent in charge of HSI Albany. "Immigration benefit fraud schemes undermine the integrity of our nation's legal immigration system, pose a security vulnerability and potentially rob deserving immigrants of benefits they rightfully deserve. HSI will not allow the exploitation of our proud legal immigration tradition for profit and will move aggressively against those who engage in such criminal conduct."

An additional seven undocumented illegal aliens were discovered at the residence. They are currently being administratively processed by HSI to determine if they will be arrested criminally.

HSI places a high priority on investigating document and benefit fraud. These types of fraud pose a severe threat to national security and public safety because they create a vulnerability that may enable terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens to gain entry to and remain in the United States. Document and benefit fraud are elements of many immigration-related crimes, such as human smuggling and human trafficking, critical infrastructure protection, worksite enforcement, visa compliance enforcement and national security investigations. Document fraud, also known as identity fraud, is the manufacturing, counterfeiting, alteration, sale, and/or use of identity documents and other fraudulent documents to circumvent immigration laws or for other criminal activity. Identity fraud in some cases also involves identity theft, a crime in which an imposter takes on the identity of a real person (living or deceased) for some illegal purpose.