AZ: Officials arrest 2 men in fake ID operation

Officials arrest 2 men in fake ID operation

by Lauren Misak - Oct. 23, 2009 08:04 PM
The Arizona Republic

Authorities arrested two men Friday after a month-long investigation into a fake ID operation, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The Arizona Fraudulent Identity Theft Task Force served a search warrant at a home near Coronado and Granite Reef roads in Scottsdale about 6:45 a.m.

Arrested were Efren Mariano-Flores, 24, and Florencio Rosales-Santos, 31, on suspicion of forgery, identity theft, and manufacturing fraudulent documents. The men are also suspected of being undocumented immigrants.

Investigators believe the forgery operation was providing a way for immigrants to have an identity while in the country illegally.

While searching the home, investigators said they found hundreds in cash, a handgun, 14 fake ID cards, a card printer and software.

Investigators said the men made fake ID cards from Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Rosales-Santos was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

www.azcentral.com