Thread: 6 Mexicans indicted for running a counterfeit document ring

I.C.E. News Release

DOCUMENT AND BENEFIT FRAUD

07/01/2016

6 Mexican nationals indicted for running a counterfeit document ring

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday charging six Mexican nationals for their role in a scheme to manufacture and sell counterfeit identity and immigration documents, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The defendants - including Angelica Moreno-Velasquez, 31, Maria Victoria Perez-Vasquez, 30, Francisco Javier Hidalgo-Flores, 25, Lizet Amairani Ramirez-Zazueta, 26, and Veronica Rosales-Capitaine, 49, all of Fresno, and Fidel Vasquez-Velasquez, 22, of Madera - are charged with conspiracy; transferring false identification documents; possessing document-making implements; and fraud and misuse of alien registration receipt cards.

According to court documents, Vasquez-Velasquez, Hidalgo-Flores and Rosales-Capitaine manufactured fraudulent identification documents, including Social Security cards and alien registration receipt cards, often called “green cards.” Vasquez-Velasquez, Hidalgo-Flores and Perez-Vasquez took orders, photographs, and biographical information from customers, then delivered the completed fraudulent identification documents to the buyers.

The defendants charged anywhere from $80 to $150 for one set of documents. Moreno-Velasquez and Ramirez-Zazueta also delivered fraudulent identification documents to customers and other co-conspirators.

“HSI aggressively targets criminals who illegally create and distribute fake ID’s,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge of HSI San Francisco. “This nefarious activity opens a dangerous path for those wishing to cause harm to our country and wreak havoc on the lives of innocent identity theft victims.”

The charge of transferring false identification documents or possessing document-making implements carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Additionally, Moreno-Velasquez, Perez-Vasquez, Hidalgo-Flores, Ramirez-Zazueta, and Vasquez-Velasquez face a possible penalty of up to 10 years in prison if convicted of fraud and misuse of alien registration receipt cards. Finally, all six defendants face an additional maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy charge.

Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/6-...-document-ring

Fresno woman pleads guilty to producing, possessing, selling false identification documents

12:16 PM, Sep 26, 2016

FRESNO, Calif. - Veronica Rosales-Capitaine, 49, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to produce, transfer, possess, and sell false identification documents, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between June 2015 and June 2016, Rosales-Capitaine conspired with others to manufacture fraudulent identification documents, including social security cards and alien registration receipt cards, for customers who placed orders and paid as much as $150 for a set of the fraudulent documents.

In March 2010, Rosales-Capitaine was convicted of the same offense and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, admitting that between January 2009 and October 2009, she conspired with others to manufacture fraudulent identification documents.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Investigations Division. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case.

On June 16, 2016, Rosales-Capitaine and five co-defendants were arrested for the scheme. Co-defendants Francisco Javier Hidalgo-Flores and Lizet Amairani Ramirez-Zazueta, also of Fresno, pleaded guilty on September 19, 2016; charges are pending against the remaining co-defendants. The charges are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Rosales-Capitaine is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on December 19, 2016. Rosales-Capitaine faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables

http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-n...tion-documents