Police get tough on illegal IDs

By Greg Purvis
The Times-Journal

Published July 05, 2007

Illegal identification often leads to hassles and is becoming an increasing problem for law enforcement.

Two DeKalb County men were arrested recently, charged with using false identifications to obstruct justice – a serious crime, according to local law enforcement.

Johnny Ray Gonzalez, 22 of Fort Payne, was arrested June 27 by Fort Payne officers and charged with six counts of second-degree forgery and unlawful possession of a prohibited beverage in addition to the obstructing justice charge. Bond was set at $36,500.

DeKalb County deputies arrested Jesus Ramirez, 26 of Fort Payne, on June 18, and charged him with using a false identification to obstruct justice June 27. Bond was set at $5,000.

Fort Payne Police Chief David Walker said the two cases were not related.

“We’re seeing more of this kind of thing lately,â€