Thread: NC:Ex-DMV worker charged with providing licenses to illegal

Ex-DMV worker charged with providing licenses to illegal immigrants
By DANIEL BROWNSTEIN

A former employee of the state Department of Motor Vehicles was indicted in federal court this week for allegedly producing 37 driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, the U.S. Attorney's office in Columbia announced.

Teresa Decker, 39, of Bluffton, was charged four years ago in the state 14th Circuit Court. This week, it was kicked up to the federal level when she was indicted on two counts of fraud in connection with identification information.

Decker is accused of producing the licenses between January and April 2003 while working at the DMV's Bluffton office. Her attorney, Sam Bauer, said she has not admitted guilt and has cooperated with investigators.

"The accusation is that she allowed illegal aliens to get driver's licenses based on questioned identification," he said. "We're not taking a position on the matter. She gave a complete and detailed statement to law enforcement immediately when she was questioned four years ago."

Bauer said he is "disappointed that (Decker) is receiving different treatment than everyone else accused of the same offense." Two other DMV employees were convicted in state courts and received probation, he said.

"This woman's life has been suspended while the courts decided how to handle this," said Bauer. "For the past four years, at least once a month, this woman has had to appear in the circuit court in Beaufort County and await prosecution on this case. She's done everything anyone's asked of her."

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbia declined to comment on the case because it is pending.

No court date has been set.

If convicted, Decker faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the State Law Enforcement Division.

http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/ ... 4961c.html

Teresa Decker, 39, of Bluffton

-traitor
-scum
-dirtbag