Earlimart man sentenced to one year in prison in forgery case

February 11, 2011

An Earlimart man who pleaded guilty to producing and selling fraudulent U.S. immigration documents was sentenced to one year in federal prison Friday.

Cesar Perez Sanchez, 39, received his sentence at the Fresno Federal Building by Judge Lawrence O'Neill.

According to court documents, Sanchez conspired with Maria Ines Rangel-Lemus to produce and sell the fake documents.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, undercover officers twice contacted Rangel-Lemus, a Strathmore resident, about making forged Social Security and resident cards. She then contacted Sanchez, who produced the documents at his Earlimart home.

Sanchez would then provide Rangel-Lemus with the fraudulent documents, authorities said.

U.S. Department of Justice Public Information Officer Lauren Horwood said Sanchez and Rangel-Lemus had a "business" relationship.

According to court documents, an undercover investigation into Sanchez and Rangel-Lemus started in April 2007 and included surveillance at their respective homes in Strathmore and Earlimart.

The investigation came to a conclusion in April, after a second undercover purchase of forged documents was completed, according to court documents.

According to the court filings, undercover officers paid $85 for a forged set of a Social Security and permanent resident cards.

Sanchez used a computer home system to scan photos and place them into templates, authorities said. He would then print the items.

Sanchez pleaded guilty to the charges in September. Horwood said Sanchez will start serving his sentence on April 11.

Rangel-Lemus pleaded guilty in November and her sentencing is set for Feb. 25.

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