DMV Inspectors Bust Sampson Fake ID Operation

By BRIAN HANEY



Three Sampson County men have been charged in manufacturing fake IDs and other fraudulent identification documentsfor illegal

immigrants. Brothers Luis Omar Rivera, 31, and Jose Wilfredo Rivera, 27, of Five Bridge Road outside Clinton were arrested by DMV inspectors, as was Olegario Cegovia Gomez, 36, of Peter Byrd Road, Faison.

The arrests came after a four-month undercover investigation into a document lab allegedly run by the three men.

The investigation included three undercover purchases of counterfeit resident alien cards and Social Security cards.

Search warrants for both residences were issued and served by DMV License and Theft Bureau, Immigration Customs and Enforcement, the SBI, DEA and the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.

Reportedly seized from the searched locations were Social Security cards, birth certificates, car titles, photographs, a Polaroid camera, heat seals, computer scanner, Texas birth certificates, a typewriter and $1,165 in cash.

The men were held in the Sampson County Jail under charges of manufacturing false or fraudulent identification documents. They were each given cash bonds of $2,500. The charges were brought by the DMV License and Theft Bureau.

The suspects were also held on immigration detainers by ICE. The investigation is ongoing.

Sampson Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Pope said his office supplied personnel to assist in the execution of the search warrant, which was the extent of their involvement.

He said the men no longer show up as being in the jail. Their next court appearance is in Clinton on Sept. 2.

It is possible an illegal immigrant arrested by Dunn Police in May could have purchased her fake ID from one of the suspects.

Dunn Police arrested a 35-yearold Marisela G. Gonzales in May after she allegedly gave them a fake ID with another person’s Social Security number.

Ms. Gonzales reportedly told police she purchased the ID from a Hispanic man in Clinton about a year and a half ago for $150. She said a blue towel was used as a backdrop for her ID photo.

At the time, DMV License and Theft Bureau District II supervisor Capt. Bill Toman said there were active investigations into the manufacture of fake IDs in Sampson County.



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