Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Hire Illegal Aliens and Mail Fraud

Following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a Pennsylvania woman pleaded guilty Thursday December 6, 2012, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Eleni Nguyen, 29, of Phoenixville, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to the charge in connection with filing false documents with the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation program. Nguyen is the third person charged in a scheme involving a temporary employment agency hiring illegal alien employees. Nguyen is the owner of the employment agency.

Andri Gunawan, a representative for the company, previously entered guilty pleas to various crimes, including conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens and mail fraud.

Both Gunawan and Nguyen are awaiting sentencing.

As part of the scheme, members of the employment agency contracted with various third party businesses to provide temporary employees. The conspirators would fulfill these contracts by hiring illegal aliens and paying them in cash "under the table," failing to pay various federal, state and local taxes, fees or compensation insurance. Using this scheme, the temporary employment agency was able to maximize its profits.

At sentencing, Nguyen faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services assisted in the investigation.

54 Month Sentence for Mexican National Who Trafficked Stolen Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens

A Mexican national was sentenced Monday, November 26, 2012, to 54 months in prison for 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); Director Scott P. Bultrowicz of the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Richard Weber.

Jose Sergio Garcia-Ramirez, 37, formerly of Rockford, Ill., was sentenced Nov. 26 by U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí, in the District of Puerto Rico. Judge Gelpí also ordered Garcia-Ramirez to forfeit $35,900 in proceeds and ordered the removal of Garcia-Ramirez from the United States after the completion of his sentence.

On July 17, Garcia-Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit identification fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce J. McGiverin in the District of Puerto Rico.

Garcia-Ramirez was charged in a superseding indictment returned March 22 by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico. To date, 53 individuals have been charged for their roles in the identity trafficking scheme; 18 defendants have pleaded guilty.

Court documents allege that individuals located in the Savarona area of Caguas, Puerto Rico (Savarona suppliers), 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 the following locations: 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.

Garcia-Ramirez admitted that he was an identity broker in the conspiracy, operating in Illinois. Garcia-Ramirez is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in this case.

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 following agencies provided substantial assistance: Illinois Secretary of State Police; Elgin (Ill.) Police Department; Seymour (Ind.) Police Department; and Indiana State Police. The HSI Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center, as well as various ICE, USPIS, DSS and IRS-CI offices around the country, also 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 and Western District of Virginia provided substantial assistance.

Chinese National Arrested for Immigration Fraud Ring

A man illegally living in the United States was convicted at trial late Wednesday, September 26, 2012, of attempting to bribe a corrupt government official to obtain a "green card," part of a long-term joint undercover investigation into a group of Chinese nationals engaged in purchasing fraudulent permanent resident alien cards.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., and the Herndon Police Department.

"This conviction is the culmination of an intensive undercover investigation that dismantled an immigration fraud organization," said HSI Washington, D.C. Special Agent in Charge John P. Torres. "These organizations threaten our national security and place our communities at risk because they create a vulnerability that may enable terrorists and criminals to gain entry to and remain in the United States. HSI DC recognizes the extraordinary contribution by the Herndon Police Department and other law enforcement partners in our continued commitment to make our communities safer."

Rui Shui Chen, 44, a citizen of the People's Republic of China who was not legally present in the United States, was convicted Sept. 26 of conspiring to commit immigration fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and misuse of immigration documents, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14.

"Green cards sold on the black market pose a serious threat to our national security," said Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. "This is a difficult crime to infiltrate, and the success of this investigation is a tribute to the patient and dedicated investigators at HSI DC and Herndon Police Department."

"This case highlights a growing, but invisible problem involving immigration fraud, one that affects all of our surrounding jurisdictions," said Herndon Police Chief Maggie A. DeBoard, "The ability to work closely with our federal partners on cases such as these provide opportunities for the successful apprehension and conviction of these individuals that would otherwise not be present. We greatly appreciate the tremendous support that HSI has provided throughout this case, as well as the support provided from the other local police departments, to bring this case to a successful conclusion."

According to court records and evidence at trial, Chen was one of 23 aliens and one U.S. citizen, including Xiaoyang Li, 52, Chang Yun Hui, 62, Shu Hong Zhao, 57, and Fu Guan Pan, 37, who conspired to pay as much as $60,000 in bribes to individuals claiming to represent a corrupt government employee willing to produce unlawful and fraudulently issued green cards.

Li, Hui, Zhao and Pan acted as brokers, identifying and recruiting Chen and others, arranging for the conspirators - many of whom, including Chen, had exhausted their immigration appeals and been ordered to be removed from the United States - to meet with the individuals at various hotels and restaurants in northern Virginia. From January 2011 through June 2012, these conspirators met in groups with the individuals they believed were working for a corrupt government official to sign immigration documents, provide finger prints and produce any other required information to secure the fraudulent green cards.

Chen was among 24 individuals indicted June 14. Sixteen have been apprehended to date, including Li, Hui, Zhao and Pan. Eight of those charged remain fugitives.

Investigative assistance in this case was provided by the Prince William County Police Department, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Branch.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ron L. Walutes and Julia Martinez of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia's National Security and International Crime Unit.

Guatemalan Nationals Indicted for Immigration and Document Fraud

A federal grand jury indicted two Guatemalan nationals Wednesday, August 15, 2012, for conspiring to provide false identity documents so more than 100 illegal aliens could fraudulently obtain driver's and non-driver's licenses from the Department of Revenue license office in St. Joseph, Mo. These indictments resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Domingo Ajanel-Castro, 33, a Guatemalan national residing in St. Joseph, Mo., and Pedro Pablo-Solis, 28, a Guatemalan national residing in Liberal, Kan., were charged in an 18-count superseding indictment returned Aug. 15 by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

This indictment replaces an earlier indictment that charged only Ajanel-Castro.

The indictment alleges that Ajanel-Castro and Pablo-Solis, both illegal aliens from Guatemala, participated in a conspiracy from July 1, 2010 to Jan. 10, 2012 to sell fraudulent birth certificates and Social Security cards in the names of others. The indictment alleges that illegal aliens traveled to St. Joseph, Mo., from across the United States to obtain either a Missouri driver's license or non-driver's license by using unlawfully obtained birth certificates and Social Security cards. The illegal aliens then used the state licenses to remain unlawfully in the United States, to unlawfully obtain employment, or for other unlawful purposes.

It is estimated that more than 100 Missouri licenses have been unlawfully issued to illegal aliens as part of this conspiracy.

Ajanel-Castro allegedly received identification document sets from Pablo-Solis, who obtained and sold state-issued birth certificates and corresponding Social Security cards in matching document sets. Ajanel-Castro then sold the document sets to the illegal aliens, the indictment states, for between $500 and $950 for the document sets and the licenses.

The illegal aliens were then charged an additional fee of about $100 to be escorted to the license office in St. Joseph. Individuals accompanied illegal aliens into the St. Joseph license office under the guise of being translators, the indictment says, to assist them with obtaining Missouri licenses in the name of another person.

These individuals assisted illegal aliens prepare for potential questions from the license office employees, such as information on the birth certificates and the Social Security numbers. They also assisted with having them practice signing the name so that the signatures would be similar. The individuals also provided Missouri residential addresses to the illegal aliens who did not live in Missouri, the indictment says.

In addition to the conspiracy, Ajanel-Castro and Pablo-Solis are charged together in three counts of aggravated identity theft, three counts of Social Security fraud, and two counts of illegally transferring a person's identity documents to another person.

Ajanel-Castro is also charged with four more counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of illegally producing identification documents, one count of possessing false documents, one count of making a false statement on a federal document, and one count of illegally re-entering the United States after having been deported.

The public is reminded that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford, Western District of Missouri, is prosecuting the case.

Seven Year Sentence for Criminal Alien Who Produced Counterfeit Documents

A Mexican national convicted for his role in a large-scale counterfeit document ring has been sentenced to seven years in prison following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the California Department of Motor vehicles.

Javier Hernandez-Lopez, 35, of Sacramento and Mexico City, was sentenced Friday, August 3, 2012, by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. for manufacturing false identification documents and for being a deported alien found in the United States.

According to court documents, Hernandez-Lopez had been deported from the United States after serving a prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter. Following that deportation, he returned illegally to the United States and participated in a large-scale Sacramento-area conspiracy to manufacture fraudulent documents.

Hernandez-Lopez and his co-conspirators collected biographical information and photographs from individuals and business owners who wanted false identification document, such as alien registration receipt cards (green cards), driver's licenses, and Social Security cards. This information was either hand delivered or transmitted by a cellphone to the person who manufactured the false documents. The defendants then delivered the documents to the purchaser in exchange for cash.

"As this sentence makes clear, those who willfully violate our nation's immigration laws and engage in illegal activities that pose a potential security threat face serious consequences," said Daniel Lane, assistant special agent in charge for the HSI Sacramento. "The counterfeit documents produced by these operations can be used by criminals and others to mask their identities and obscure their motives. For that reason, HSI will continue to work closely with its local and federal law enforcement partners to target those who put our communities at risk simply to satisfy their own greed."

HSI agents working undercover purchased documents from Hernandez-Lopez and his co-conspirators. During the execution of search warrants, agents found computers, specialized software, high-end printers, card readers, holograms and other sophisticated equipment used to manufacture fraudulent identification documents.

Judge Burrell previously sentenced the three other defendants involved in the conspiracy: Juan Hernandez-Lopez, 39, Luis Eduardo Torres-Hernandez, 25, and Alejandro Bielma-Ortiz, 40, received sentences of 33 months, 19 months and 24 months respectively.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Anderson prosecuted the case.

Executive of Two Sunnyvale Universities Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud

The chief executive officer of two Bay Area universities was arrested Thursday, August 2, 2012, following his indictment on charges stemming from a long-term probe spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Jerry Wang, 34, was taken into custody at his Santa Clara home the morning of Thursday, August 2, 2012. Wang is the CEO of two Sunnyvale-based institutions, Herguan University and the University of East-West Medicine. Wang is named in a 15-count indictment handed down July 24 charging him with conspiracy to commit visa fraud; use of false documents; aggravated identity theft; and unauthorized access to government computers. Wang, who made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday, August 2, 2012, is scheduled to be formally arraigned Aug. 20.

The prosecution is the result of an 18-month investigation by the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) overseen by HSI. The DBFTF is a multi-agency task force that coordinates investigations related to fraud schemes involving immigration documents and benefits.

The case indictment unsealed Thursday, August 2, 2012, alleges that, beginning in July 2007 and continuing through at least February 2011, Wang and others conspired to commit visa fraud by submitting falsified documents to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). In addition to the conspiracy charge, Wang is accused of four counts of visa fraud, seven counts involving false documents, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count involving unauthorized access to a government computer. If convicted of all the charges, he faces a maximum penalty of up to 85 years in prison.

In light of the allegations uncovered during the ongoing investigation, the two universities face the loss of their authorization to enroll foreign students under SEVP. ICE has issued both schools a Notice of Intent to Withdraw, the first step in revoking the schools' SEVP certification. The schools have 30 days to respond to the notice and request an interview to contest the action. Meanwhile, foreign students who are currently enrolled at these universities may continue to attend classes as long as the schools remain SEVP-certified and the students are able to maintain their lawful immigration status.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hartley M. K. West aided by Rania Ghawi.

Members of Illegal Maryland Document Mill Plead Guilty

All members of a Maryland document mill, including eight Mexican nationals and a Honduran national, pleaded guilty to manufacturing and selling thousands of fake government identification documents, following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

"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 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."

Between May 14 and May 24, five defendants, all of whom lived in Baltimore, pleaded guilty. They include Cristian Fuentes-Valle, aka "Honduras," 34; Ivan Altamirano-Perez, aka "Elmer," 32; Miguel Reyes-Ontiveros, 41; Daniel Cruz-Martinez, aka "Danny," 23; and Roberto Moralez-Perez, aka "Piza," 26.

According to the plea agreements and other court documents, the responsibility for manufacturing the identity documents – including permanent resident cards and social security cards – rotated among various individuals. From June 2008 through May 2010, Ivan Altamirano-Perez and his brother, Roberto Morales-Perez, shared the territory and took turns receiving the income from manufacturing the identity documents. Beginning in May 2010 and continuing until their arrests, Altamirano-Perez and Morales-Perez shared the territory and manufacturing rights and profits with Miguel Reyes-Ontiveros. Collectively, they were known as the "Broadway Mill Operators." The location of the manufacturing operation, aka the "mill," was changed frequently to avoid detection.

When the Broadway Mill Operators were not engaged in manufacturing the documents, they sold documents themselves or assisted by collecting orders from salesmen and delivering documents back to the salesmen once they had been manufactured. The Broadway Mill Operators used a group of at least 10 individuals, who sold and distributed the identity documents manufactured by the Broadway Mill Operators.

The salesmen included: Adrian Badillo-Carrasco, aka "Rana," 36; Alejandrino Candia-Galindo, aka "Paisa and Omar," 27; Saul Sanchez Galvin, aka "Chino, Morro and Doblon," 27; Juan Merlin-Gonzalez, 35; Cristian Fuentes-Valle, aka "Honduras," 34; and Daniel Cruz-Martinez, aka "Danny," 23.

According to their plea agreements, the salesmen solicited individuals in the 200 block of South Broadway in Baltimore, which is known as the "Broadway Territory," to purchase fake identification documents, either in person or by distributing business cards. When a person seeking to purchase counterfeit identity documents was identified, the salesman would negotiate a price, obtain a picture and the necessary information to create the identification card. The salesman would then call whichever of the Broadway Mill Operators was working that week to pick up the order. Later, the completed identity document would be dropped off for the salesman, who would contact the customer and give him/her the identity documents in exchange for money, which usually cost between $130 and $160.

According to the plea agreements and other court documents, the defendants manufactured and transferred 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 number cards and immigration identity documents. He was sentenced to 97 months in prison.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with identification documents and a maximum of 10 years in prison for fraud and misuse of immigration documents. In addition, Altamirano-Perez, Morales-Perez and Reyes-Ontiveros 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 removal or removal proceedings upon the completion of their sentences.

U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles Jr., has scheduled sentencing for Reyes-Ontiveros July 19; for Roberto Morales-Perez Aug. 23 and for Altamirano-Perez Aug. 21. Sentencing for Badillo-Carrasco is scheduled July 17; for Candia-Galindo July 26; for Merlin-Gonzalez Aug. 14; for Cruz-Martinez Aug. 22; for Sanchez-Galvin Aug. 28 and for Fuentes-Valle Sept. 5.

The investigation was conducted by HSI Baltimore and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the 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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamera L. Fine and Judson T. Mihok.

Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty in $5 Million Illegal Document Conspiracy

A Missouri woman pleaded guilty in federal court Monday, May 7, to her role in a more than $5 million conspiracy that utilized the Missouri Department of Revenue license office in St. Joseph to provide more than 3,500 fraudulent identity documents to illegal aliens across the United States.

The guilty plea resulted from an investigation conducted by the following agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations; the 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 Missouri Department of Revenue Investigation Bureau; the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Christina Michelle Gonzalez, 23, of St. Joseph, Mo., pleaded guilty May 7 before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the charges contained in a Jan. 10 federal indictment.

By pleading guilty, Gonzalez admitted to participating in a conspiracy from November 2009 to January 2012 to transport illegal aliens, unlawfully produce identification documents, unlawfully transfer another person's identification, and commit Social Security fraud.

During the conspiracy, thousands of illegal aliens traveled from across the United States to obtain either a Missouri driver's or non-driver's license at the St. Joseph license office by using unlawfully obtained birth certificates and Social Security cards. It is estimated that more than 3,500 licenses were issued to illegal aliens by the Department of Revenue license office in St. Joseph. The state licenses could then be used by the illegal aliens to remain unlawfully in the United States, to unlawfully obtain employment and for other unlawful purposes.

Gonzalez admitted that she accompanied illegal aliens to the St. Joseph license office, under the guise of being a translator, in order to assist them with obtaining a Missouri driver's or non-driver's license. Those licenses used the names of persons who were listed on unlawfully obtained birth certificates and Social Security cards.

Gonzalez instructed and assisted the illegal aliens to practice memorizing the information on the birth certificates and Social Security cards and to practice signing the name on those documents so that the signatures would be similar. She also assisted the illegal aliens to prepare for potential questions from the license office employees.

Gonzalez assisted the illegal aliens who did not live in Missouri by providing them with a Missouri residential address to use in order to obtain the Missouri driver's or non-driver's license.

The illegal aliens were usually charged between $1,500 and $1,600 for the document sets and the Missouri driver's and non-driver's licenses. Gonzalez collected money from the illegal aliens, which she paid to her co-conspirators. It is estimated that more than $5,250,000 in gross proceeds was paid by illegal aliens to members of this conspiracy.

Under federal statutes, Gonzalez is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen, Western District of Missouri, is prosecuting the case.

Nine Arrested for Document Conspiracy and Fraud

Nine suspects face federal criminal charges following their arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents during an enforcement action Monday, April 23, targeting three large-scale counterfeit document mills operating in the Central Valley.

The suspects, who made their initial appearance in federal court the morning of Tuesday, April 24, are charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy and fraud, and misuse of visas. Specifically, the defendants were allegedly involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit identification documents. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California.

As part of the enforcement action of Monday, April 23, HSI special agents executed search warrants at six residences in Fresno, Tulare and Madera counties and at a Fresno One Hour Photo shop that was also linked to the scheme. During those searches, special agents discovered and seized hundreds of fraudulent identities in the process of being manufactured, along with numerous document-making supplies, including printers and laminators. In addition, special agents recovered more than $5,000 in cash from the various search locations.

"Trafficking in counterfeit documents poses a serious security vulnerability and contributes to a host of other types of crimes, including identity theft and financial fraud," said Clark Settles, the special agent in charge who oversees HSI Fresno. "Our goal in these investigations is to identify and ultimately dismantle the criminal organizations behind these highly lucrative schemes."

The defendants charged in connection with the investigation are:

·                             Luis Mirabete-Pena, 23, of Fresno;

·                             Marco Arias-Solis, 40, of Fresno;

·                             Felix Santiago-Matias, 41, of Fresno;

·                             Othoniel Parra-Gallardo, 31, of Tulare;

·                             Eretzander Morales-Lozano, 22, of Tulare;

·                             Benjamin Aparacio-Pablo, 26, of Tulare;

·                             Dalia Reyes-Serapio, 29, of Fresno;

·                             Ubaldo Castillo-Hernandez, 41, of Ontario, Calif.; and

·                             Jenny Thanh Nguyen, 55, of Clovis, Calif., owner of the One Hour Photo.

The arrests and searches are the culmination of a long-term HSI probe focusing on some of the area's most prolific document counterfeiting operations. Based on the investigation, special agents believe the targeted mills, two located in Fresno and one in Tulare, are responsible for producing and distributing more than 100 counterfeit documents a month. Those documents included phony permanent resident alien or "green" cards and Social Security cards.

Tennessee Man Arrested for License Fraud

A Tennessee man was charged in a federal complaint Thursday, April 19, with accepting bribes in relation to his employment as a Tennessee driver's license examiner. The federal bribery charges follow a five-month, joint investigation undertaken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Larry Murphy, 54, of Antioch, Tenn., is a supervisory driver's license examiner employed at a licensing facility on Hart Lane in Nashville. Murphy is accused of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes to issue Tennessee driver licenses to applicants who either failed or did not take the written tests required.

"Fraudulent identification documents can be utilized in the full spectrum of criminal activity — everything from illegal employment to plotting acts of terrorism," said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. "The successful outcome of this collaborative effort reflects another example of HSI's commitment to work alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate this type of crime to the fullest extent to ensure the safety and security of our nation." Parmer oversees HSI activities in a five-state area which includes Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas.

"These allegations pose two serious problems facing our nation — public corruption and public safety," said U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin. "Both issues are high priorities of the Department of Justice and we will continue to dedicate the necessary resources to root out corruption and punish those who would jeopardize the safety of our citizens. Our partners at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security are vigilant in enacting and enforcing regulations designed to protect the motoring public on our streets and highways and equally vigilant when it comes to dealing with those who would seek to circumvent its processes."

"Corruption by public officials undermines the public trust and can threaten the overall safety of our community," said Aaron T. Ford, special agent in charge of the FBI's Memphis Division. "Public corruption is the number one criminal priority of the FBI and we will continue to work with our partners to bring to justice those who would seek to line their own pockets and in doing so, jeopardize the safety of the public."

"The state's driver service center employees are on the front lines of homeland security," Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. "We must not let Tennessee driver's licenses be issued to individuals who are not entitled to them. When we became aware of possible criminal activity involving this individual, we launched an immediate investigation and turned the case over to federal officials. Any action that places driver's licenses in the hands of the wrong people will not be tolerated by this department."

According to the criminal complaint, between January and April 17, 2012, Murphy improperly provided several drivers' licenses to four undercover operatives in exchange for payment, including issuance of commercial driver's licenses, which are required to legally operate large vehicles such as tractor trailers. In one instance, the complaint alleges that Murphy simply fabricated a social security number on one such application when the undercover operative told him that he did not have a social security number. Murphy also manufactured a false medical certification for the commercial license application, which is required to demonstrate that an applicant is physically capable of operating a large vehicle.

If convicted, Murphy faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Charges brought by a criminal complaint are merely accusations. All defendants have the right to a trial, at which the government must bear the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Third Man Sentenced as Part of Document Fraud Ring

A third man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday, March 28, after pleading guilty to a conspiracy that involved making false statements in applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the creation and transfer of false identification documents, and the altering and transferring of foreign passports.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Rajin A. Latchman, 29, of Winter Garden, Fla., was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. Co-conspirators Ted B. Shirley and Gaitrie Latchman were previously sentenced after pleading guilty for their roles in the conspiracy. Shirley was sentenced Jan. 25 to 30 months in federal prison. Gaitrie Latchman was sentenced Feb. 28 to 28 months in federal prison.

According to court documents, Gaitrie and Rajin Latchman would, for a fee of between $2,500 and $3,000, arrange for illegal aliens to obtain a Florida driver license. They were assisted by Shirley, who was an examiner at the Clermont office of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). As part of their services, the Latchmans would provide immigration and identification documents to the aliens, to present at the DHSMV office. To obtain such documents, the Latchmans would file applications with USCIS to cause the issuance of Form I-797C notices of action. The notices of action then served both as an immigration classification document and as proof of identity.

The Latchmans also altered I-797Cs and foreign passports. They then coordinated with Shirley so that their customers would make contact only with him when they went to the DHSMV office, thereby avoiding any scrutiny of such documents.

During the period of time that this criminal activity was taking place, Gaitrie Latchman also applied for naturalization and obtained U.S. citizenship. Pursuant to statutory requirements, the court revoked her citizenship and declared her certificate of naturalization to be void.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Armstrong.

Maryland Man Sentenced for Immigration and Identity Document Fraud

A Maryland document trafficker was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for manufacturing, selling and transferring fraudulent identification documents, including permanent resident cards, and Social Security cards following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General, the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).

Victor Lopez-Escamilla aka "Mango Chupado," and "Ventura," 39, of Brooklyn, Md., was sentenced Wednesday, March 21, by U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles Jr. to 97 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for count one of the charges on fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, 60 months for count two Social Security card fraud and 97 months for count three, fraud and misuse of immigration documents. All were ordered to be served concurrently. Lopez-Escamilla is a Mexican national residing in the U.S. illegally.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Quarles found that Lopez-Escamilla was responsible for more than $140,000 in fraudulent documents and more than 250 victims whose Social Security numbers and immigration numbers were used on the counterfeit identity documents. In addition, Judge Quarles found that Lopez-Escamilla had obstructed justice by exposing the identities of witnesses.

"To gain immigration benefits and lawful status in the United States is not something to be sold or bought," said William Winter, special agent in charge of HSI Baltimore. "HSI's Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force will continue to go after these individuals that are jeopardizing our national security and investigate those that are seeking to obtain legal status fraudulently."

According to court documents and testimony at his three-day trial, from July 2009 to the spring or summer of 2010, Lopez-Escamilla sold fraudulent documents made by a group in the 200 block of South Broadway in Baltimore. Witnesses testified that Lopez-Escamilla solicited individuals in the Baltimore area to buy fake identification documents and Lopez-Escamilla was observed and photographed receiving and distributing fake identification documents. The evidence further reflected that in the spring or summer of 2010, Lopez-Escamilla began manufacturing documents himself in a "document mill" in his bedroom. Lopez-Escamilla received photographs and personal information from the individuals ordering the documents, which he then used to manufacture the fraudulent documents. Lopez-Escamilla generally charged between $100 and $150 for a permanent resident and Social Security card, and at least $100 for a fraudulent Maryland driver's license.

HSI special agents executed a search warrant May 26, 2011 at Lopez-Escamilla's residence and seized counterfeit documents, used ribbons showing documents that had been created, and equipment and supplies used to make counterfeit documents. More than 100 exhibits were presented at trial, including a Cheetos can with a fake bottom that contained numerous fraudulent identification documents.

On May 29, nine defendants are scheduled for trial in a related case involving the alleged trafficking in fraudulent identification documents on Broadway in Baltimore.

The investigation was conducted by HSI Baltimore, SSA Office of Inspector General, the U.S. State Department DSS Washington Field Office, MVA Investigation and Security Services Division and the Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County police departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera L. Fine.

Fraudulent Driver License in Atlanta - Former Atlanta driver's license examiner and co-conspirator sentenced for selling Georgia driver's licenses

July 29, 2010

More than 40 fraudulent licenses were issued in Marietta

ATLANTA - Gbemisola Wellington-Salako, 36, of Marietta, Ga., and Jules Armand Che Siewe Achou, 33, of Atlanta, were sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Orinda D. Evans for conspiring to issue Georgia driver's licenses to people who did not qualify for them, but who were willing to pay up to $2,500 per license, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other law enforcement agencies.
Wellington-Salako, a former driver's license examiner, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and Siewe Achou was sentenced to13 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. A citizen of Cameroon, Siewe Achou will face deportation proceedings after he serves his sentence.
Both pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to produce and distribute false identification documents.
"People like Wellington-Salako, who are willing to violate the public's trust for money, could potentially be impacting the national security of our country by giving legitimate documents to those who aren't entitled to them," said Brock Nicholson, acting special agent in charge of the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office in Atlanta. "These acts will not go unpunished."
According to court records, Wellington-Salako was a driver's license examiner in the Department of Driver Services (DDS) Customer Service Center on County Services Parkway in Marietta in June 2007 when she agreed to work with Siewe Achou to provide driver's licenses to people who did not qualify for them, but who would pay up to $2,500 for a license.
Siewe Achou would find customers and send them to Wellington-Salako, who would then issue them licenses without any tests or proof of legal residency in Georgia. Siewe Achou later shared the money that had been collected from their customers with Wellington-Salako. Eventually, Siewe Achou recruited other men to help him find customers for the conspiracy. Between June 2007 and September 2009, the conspirators caused the DDS to issue up to 40 fraudulent driver's licenses.
Three other individuals, Nambaladja Souleymane Fofana, 29, of Atlanta; Mohamed Cellou Bamba, 34, of Atlanta; and Omar Sheriff Manjang, 45, of Lawrenceville, Ga., were also charged in the conspiracy. They each pleaded guilty to assisting Siewe Achou in finding customers for the conspiracy. Fofana and Bamba were sentenced to prison for eight months, with deportation proceedings to follow. Manjang was sentenced to one year of probation.
This case was investigated by special agents of ICE Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, the Georgia DDS, and an investigator from the DeKalb County Police Department.
"The successful investigation and subsequent prosecution of these defendants are yet another example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal agencies work together to identify and arrest those involved in criminal activity and subversive actions against our state and nation," said Director Vernon Keenan of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. "The hard work and dedication of the U. S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security personnel, and GBI agents involved in this case are commendable."
"DDS is committed to combating driver license fraud and identity theft as demonstrated in the proactive work of the DDS Investigative Services team," said DDS Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. "This case is a perfect example of how a multi-agency task force can unite to combat illegal immigration and identity theft and support homeland security."
Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Traynor prosecuted the case.

Washington State pair sentenced to prison on immigration fraud charges - Steven Mahoney

October 23, 2009

Washington State pair sentenced to prison on immigration fraud charges

SEATTLE - The former owner of an immigration consulting business in King County, Wash., and his ex-wife were sentenced Oct. 23 in federal court on charges of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.)

Steven Mahoney, 41, of Kent, Wash., was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Helen Mahoney, 39, also of Kent, was sentenced to six months in prison and two years of supervised released for her role in the conspiracy.

Steven Mahoney owned Mahoney and Associates where he counseled, advised and prepared immigration applications for immigrants seeking legal status to live in the United States. Helen Mahoney assisted in completing and submitting the applications to the federal government.

According to court documents, from October 1998 until June 2007, Steven Mahoney filed up to 99 false asylum claims on behalf of immigrants. The applications falsely stated that these individuals would be abused because they were homosexual, or they held religious or political views that would result in torture in their home countries.

Once the fraudulent applications were completed, Helen Mahoney submitted them to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the federal agency that processes these documents. Court documents show that the Mahoneys knew these statements were not true for certain applicants, but still filed the claims.

The Mahoneys coached applicants on how to pursue immigration status based on these false claims. They were paid between $1,000 and $4,000 for each falsified application.

"Our nation's immigration laws are intended to provide benefits to individuals who meet certain criteria - not opportunists who manipulate the system for personal financial gain," said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Seattle. "ICE will continue to investigate those involved in these types of criminal schemes."

At sentencing, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said, "I want to get the message out to the community that this type of behavior will not be tolerated."

ICE was joined in this investigation by USCIS.

Defendant Arranged Marriages Between Foreign Nationals and U.S. Citizens for a Fee

U.S. Department of Justice

James T. Jacks
Acting United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA INQUIRIES: KATHY COLVIN

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2009
www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn

PHONE: (214)659-8600
FAX: (214) 767-2898


SEVENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD FORT WORTH WOMAN ADMITS
ROLE AS LEADER OF VISA FRAUD SCHEME

Defendant Arranged Marriages Between Foreign Nationals and U.S. Citizens for a Fee

DALLAS — Maria Refugia Camarillo, 71, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis, to conspiring to commit fraud in connection with immigration documents, announced Acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Camarillo, of Fort Worth, Texas, has been on a personal recognizance bond since her arrest in May 2008 on charges outlined in a 29-count indictment that charged her, and 15 additional defendants, in the large-scale document fraud conspiracy. She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Solis on September 23, 2009, and faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution. In addition, she is required to execute and provide a $35,000 lien on her home.

According to documents filed in court, beginning in the 1980's and continuing until May 2008, Camarillo, and a number of individuals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, ran a fraudulent scheme in which foreign nationals, who wanted to apply for lawful residency into the U.S., would pay Camarillo to arrange a marriage between them and a U.S. citizen. Once married, they could apply for U.S. permanent residence and later, U.S. citizenship.

Camarillo recruited many of her family members, including her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews into the conspiracy; 15 family members were indicted with Camarillo. The indictment was dismissed against one defendant, but the remainder have pleaded guilty to their role in the conspiracy and most are awaiting sentencing. Camarillo paid the co-conspirators a portion of the money that she received either directly, or by paying bills or other obligations on their behalf. Camarillo admitted that three of her grandchildren were minors when they entered into the conspiracy and that they were under age 18 when they entered into their first marriages related to the conspiracy.

Foreign nationals would pay as much as $12,000 for these arranged marriages. There was an organized deception by the defendants to make the fraudulent marriages appear legitimate. Camarillo even coached the couples on how to make the marriage appear legitimate, includingadvising them to take photographs together and open joint bank accounts. She even provided the couple a list of possible questions they might be asked at the immigration interview and advised them to practice answering the questions.

Couples filed their applications for permanent residence with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) using fraudulently obtained, legitimate documents which showed their marriages were valid. To further evade detection, Camarillo provided some defendants who were citizen spouses, fraudulent identities, including false names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers. Camarillo admitted that approximately 13 fraudulent identities were used during the course of the conspiracy by various members of the conspiracy.

Camarillo admitted that after the foreign national had made initial contact with a member of the conspiracy, she would usually meet with the foreign national in her office behind her house in Fort Worth. During the meeting, or soon after, the foreign national would pay half of the arranged fee to Camarillo. Then, Camarillo would select one of the coconspirators, who was a citizen of the appropriate age and gender, to marry and petition for the alien. The selected spouse usually met the foreign national for the first time when they applied for a marriage license and again for the actual wedding ceremony, which was normally officiated by a Justice of the Peace.

The case is being investigated by CIS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Social Security Administration’ Office of Inspector General, Health and Human Services Commission’s Office of Inspector General and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Brown and Amy Mitchell are prosecuting.