Thread: Passport, Visa Fraud Account for 46 Arrests, Prosecutions

C.B.P. News Release

Passport, Visa Fraud Account for 46 Arrests, Prosecutions at California Ports

(Wednesday, March 11, 2009)

San Diego – A joint enforcement initiative to stem passport and visa fraud at California border ports of entry (San Diego and Imperial Counties) launched by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego, has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of 46 individuals for felonies related to the use of false passports and visas.

During the one-week operation from February 26 through March 5, 35 cases of passport fraud and 11 cases of visa fraud were accepted for prosecution. Additionally, 27 individuals fraudulently using United States passports were returned to Mexico in lieu of prosecution.

Some of the notable cases included:

Donald Gary Keene, 32, and Cale Marie Bovee, 33. Keene and Bovee, United States citizens, are alleged to have used fraudulent United States passports in an attempt to smuggle eight undocumented aliens in a truck through the San Ysidro Port of Entry. According to court records, both suspects had prior criminal histories and are currently being charged with Title 18, United States Code, Section 1544, Misuse of a Passport, and Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324, Alien Smuggling.

Eudon Gomez Martinez, 38. Gomez Martinez, a Mexican citizen, is accused of using a fraudulently obtained Border Crossing Card (DSP-150) in an attempt to cross into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He had been deported twice previously from the United States and charged twice for driving under the influence, including a conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter in 1993 for an incident in which three persons were killed. He is being charged with Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546, Visa Fraud.

Javier Vicente Robledo, 29. Robledo, a Mexican citizen, is charged with presenting a fraudulently obtained United States passport in order to enter the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. His previous criminal convictions include assault with a firearm, a felony conviction for possession of controlled substances, and receiving stolen property. Robledo is being charged with Title 18, United States Code, Section 1544, Misuse of a Passport.

Josue Benjamin Martinez-Andrade, 21. Martinez-Andrade, a Mexican citizen, is charged with presenting a stolen U.S. passport at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in order to enter the United States illegally. His criminal record includes previous drug convictions and gang activity; he is being charged with Title 18, United States Code, Section 1544, Misuse of a Passport.

Juan Roberto Quintana-Zavala, 45. Quintana Zavala, a Mexican citizen, is charged with using an altered Mexican passport with a counterfeit United States Visa in an attempt to enter the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He has past criminal convictions for drug trafficking; he is being charged with Title, 18, United States Code, Section 1544, Misuse of a Passport.

The upcoming Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) mandates that by June 1, all U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the United States at its ports of entry must produce a secure travel document such as a passport, passport card, trusted traveler program document, or an enhanced driver’s license from a participating state or province. Under WHTI, CBP is able to run automated checks against law enforcement databases more easily. CBP will also be able to validate the travel documents against information from their issuing agency, thereby substantially increasing the ability to identify fraudulent documents and the fraudulent use of legitimate documents.

U.S. travel documents have a high value for criminals and smugglers. This fact prompted the joint enforcement initiative, which included embedding seven times the number of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents normally stationed at border crossings. It also involved Diplomatic Security investigative agents from Mexico working with the ports’ criminal enforcement units in a multifaceted approach to protect the integrity of U.S. travel documents and to ferret out fraudulent use.

“CBP, DSS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office took proactive steps to ensure the safety of the public and its travel documents prior to the WHTI’s full implementation,â€

During the 1970s, I tromped through a lot of Europe and stayed in youth hostels where I slept in dorms. I always kept my passport stuck in my night clothes (and the Nikon strung around my neck.) Uncomfortable for the first few nights but you get used to it.

Feds crack down on passport fraud at border

By Angelica Martinez (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer
1:23 p.m. March 11, 2009

SAN DIEGO — Dozens of people suspected of passport and visa fraud were arrested at border crossings in San Diego and Imperial counties in a recent operation conducted by federal officials. Authorities arrested 45 people during the one-week operation conducted Feb. 26 to March 5 at the ports of entry, which included San Ysidro and Otay Mesa in San Diego and Calexico and Andrade in Imperial County.

They face a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in a federal prison.
In addition, 27 people who were fraudulently using U.S. passports were sent back to Mexico instead of being prosecuted, officials said.

Authorities said they were searching for violators as they enforce current rules for entry.

All U.S. citizens are required to show proof of identity and citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean by land or sea, according to the State Department's Web site.

Documents being accepted include a passport book or passport card. Those without a passport are being allowed through if they have a driver's license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

But the rules will become more rigid on June 1.
U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry will be required to present a passport or passport card.

In light of the new requirements, officials wanted to conduct a passport and visa operation that could serve as a deterrent to potential violators as well as show authorities how to prevent passport and visa fraud, said Bruce Mills, special agent in charge of the diplomatic security service for the State Department.

Mills said 40 percent of the 62 passports seized during the operation had been reported lost or stolen.
Only one of the documents was counterfeit, he said.
Angelica Martinez: (619) 293-1317; (Contact)

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