http://www.orlandosentinel.com

Man cheated immigrants, authorities say

November 30, 2005

Orlando -- Federal agents on Tuesday arrested an Orange County man on charges he posed as an immigration officer while issuing documents for which he collected at least $30,000 from illegal immigrants.

U.S. Magistrate James Glazebrook ordered Rafael Perez, 54, be held without bail following an initial appearance in Orlando's federal court.

Agents with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Perez after several Colombians contacted them last week to say that Perez was charging them money to process their immigration paperwork. One couple paid him $24,400 to get documents for 10 relatives, according to a criminal complaint.

The four witnesses interviewed by ICE agents, part of the federal Department of Homeland Security, said Perez pledged to speed up their applications for permanent residency or cancel deportations.

At times, Perez claimed to work for the Department of Justice and once signed one of the false documents as an FBI agent, the complaint says.

On Tuesday, agents used a search warrant to comb through Perez's home at South Ridge Apartments on Oak Ridge Road in search of evidence.

In addition to the impersonation charge, Perez also is accused of fraudulently using immigration seals and forging immigration documents. The charges could net him up to 10 years in prison, if convicted.

Perez, who agents also say is known as Eduardo Perez, will have a bond hearing before Glazebrook on Thursday.