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BUTLER COUNTY

Fake ID case draws indictments against 3 suspected illegal immigrants
By Mary Lolli

Staff Writer

Saturday, December 16, 2006

A Butler County grand jury has issued a 67-count indictment against three alleged illegal immigrants accused of creating fake identification cards and other documents as part of an immigration fraud scheme.

Ernesto Escalante-Bartolon, Nicholas Juan-Santiago and Gregorio Lopez-Cruz were indicted on charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, forgery, identity fraud, tampering with records and selling or distributing forged identification cards.

All three men are allegedly illegal immigrants living in Butler County.

Escalante-Bartolon, 29, 38 PanAm Way, Hamilton, was indicted on 12 counts of forgery, 11 counts each of tampering with records and selling or distributing forged identification cards, seven counts of identity fraud and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Juan-Santiago, 32, 710 East Ave., Hamilton, was indicted on six counts each of forgery, tampering with records, selling or distributing forged identification cards and four counts of identity fraud.

Lopez-Cruz, 31, 201 Hanover St., Hamilton, was indicted on one count each of forgery, tampering with records and identity fraud.

The charges stem from a sting operation conducted last week by the Butler County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies recovered thousands of fake documents — including Social Security and Green cards and driver's licenses — with an estimated street value of $600,000.

Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said that during the sheriff's investigation, deputies learned that Escalante-Bartolon was handing out business cards advertising the fraudulent documents.

"These are extremely serious charges. Fake driver licenses and bogus Social Security cards can be harmful tools if in the hands of criminals," Piper said. "Government documents are zealously guarded by the law and should be. Who knows how these phony documents were to be used? Sheriff Jones and his deputies struck pay dirt on this one because a major operation has been unearthed."

Piper further attempted to quell criticism that the bust was racially motivated profiling.

"This isn't a matter of racial profiling or any form of discrimination, but rather a responsible investigation and enforcement of the law," he said. "The law is there for a reason and important, vital government documents can't be falsely duplicated for potential use in other activities. We at the prosecutor's office appreciate Sheriff Jones' willingness to empower us in enforcing the law."

The three suspects indicted this week are being held in the Butler County Jail without bond, pending arraignment in Common Pleas Court.