Pair arrested for immigration fraud scheme; Watsonville and Soquel residents among those duped
By Jennifer Squires jsquires@santacruzsentinel.com
Posted: 06/28/2010 05:33:37 PM PDT
Updated: 06/28/2010 07:54:38 PM PDT


SAN DIEGO — A Tijuana, Mexico man who told undocumented aliens in Soquel and Watsonville he could help them get United States citizenship — for a price — was actually running an immigration fraud scheme with a New Mexico woman, authorities announced Monday.

Armando Garcia, 58, and Elizabeth Alcocer, 47, both were charged with a 16-count federal indictment for conspiracy, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft-related crimes this month, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office reported.

Garcia is suspected of taking at least $120,000 from eight to 10 Santa Cruz County residents, and the pair allegedly were running their fraud operation in other areas as well, according to Robin Gysin, who runs the Consumer Affairs division at the D.A.'s Office.

Garcia and Alcocer presented themselves, at various times, as "immigration" employees and officers, immigration attorneys, persons who could influence the actions of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and immigration consultants to undocumented aliens seeking to legally immigrate into or legalize their status within the U.S., according to the D.A.'s Office.

The year-long investigation culminated June 21 when both suspects were arrested by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Garcia and Alcocer face federal prison time, fines, restitution and asset forfeiture if convicted.

"I think it's a really worthwhile case and a really sad thing that went on," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Rees F. Morgan, who is prosecuting the case.

However, Morgan declined to comment further on the case, including how many victims have been identified and what other areas Garcia and Alcocer allegedly duped people. He also would not say if fraud victims who came forward to report the alleged crimes but are living in the U.S. illegally would be prosecuted.

In Santa Cruz County, Garcia may have used churches to gain people's trust. A Soquel man told Gysin that a priest had introduced him to Garcia in 2004 as someone would could help the man's family gain immigration status in the U.S. Garcia said it would cost $20,000, according to Gysin.

The Soquel man paid Garcia $14,000 over a two-year period to cover the immigration costs for him, his wife and their child. At one point, the Soquel man even traveled to Pico Rivera to sign papers at Garcia's office, but the immigration numbers were different on each document, Gysin said.

It's suspected Garcia and Alcocer forged other people's names on valid immigration documents so the pair could show their clients that progress had been made on the cases.

"That's how he strung along victims," Gysin said. "He wasn't assisting them with legitimate immigration efforts." The complaints came together when victims reported incidents to the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project and the Watsonville Law Center. About 10 victims have come forward in Santa Cruz County.

"We do expect once the word gets out that many, many more should surface," Gysin said.

Immigration fraud cases occur from time to time in the area, but Gysin said this one involves a lot more money than past schemes.

Gysin speculated the pair also may have been operating near the Mexican-U.S. border because Garcia was indicted in federal court in San Diego and Alcocer was arraigned in Albuquerque. They will be back in court Aug. 2.

ICE officials ask anyone with information about the scheme call 619-550-5229 to leave a confidential message.


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