Feds: Couple ran fake ID mill out of home
By: Scott McCabe

December 8, 2009

Federal authorities have arrested a Laurel couple accused of running an operation out of their home that produced fake identification for illegal immigrants, according to court documents.

Husband and wife Ruben Grajales-Nuricumbo and Yamily Grajales were charged late last month with conspiracy to create fake Social Security cards and immigration documents. The arrests came as a result of a nearly three-year investigation.

Both pleaded not guilty in federal court in Baltimore.

During raids of two Laurel homes last week, federal agents recovered 15 cell phones, counterfeit and blank Social Security cards, a laminator, a printer and a copier, according to court filings.

The tools and materials were used to create bogus green cards and Social Security cards bearing the actual Social Security numbers of United States citizens, documents said.

The couple also created forged temporary resident cards as well as "green cards," which allowed a person to work and live in the United States on a permanent basis, authorities said.

The fake documents were sold for about $120 each.

The investigation began in 2006 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement received information about a husband and wife making and trafficking in fraudulent documents in the Laurel area.

Undercover agents bought green cards and Social Security cards from the apartment of the Grajaleses.

The probe was delayed for about a year after Ruben Grajales went to Mexico.

The investigation continued when he returned, and undercover agents purchased more fake documents from the couple at a new address, court filings said. Ruben Grajales provided the buyers with his telephone number that agents later used to call to make more fake ID purchases, agents said.

Investigators obtained the lease agreement of the couple at Tall Oaks Apartments on 200 Ertter Drive. Turned out the couple had used fake driver's licenses when renting. One of the licenses had the name of a woman but the picture of a man.

Examiner Staff Writer Freeman Klopott contributed to this report.

smccabe@washingtonexaminer.com


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