Thread: PA-Woman faces deportation over identity thefts

Woman faces deportation over identity thefts

August 20, 2009

First she lost her freedom, then her husband. Now, Ana Mercedes Batista-Geronimo could lose the privilege of remaining in the United States.

Batista-Geronimo, 39, of New York City pleaded guilty Tuesday to two felony counts of identity theft for using illegally obtained credit cards to make purchases this year at Macy's in the Lehigh Valley Mall.

She stole more than $16,600 worth of products and gift cards using the credit cards, according to Lehigh County Senior Deputy District Attorney V. Paul Bernardino.

Batista-Geronimo claimed she didn't know the cards were stolen or obtained by using people's personal information, even though she acknowledged they had the names of others on them. She said she bought clothes with the cards.

Judge Kelly L. Banach sentenced Batista-Geronimo to three to 23 months in prison and ordered her to pay back the credit card companies. Because she's been locked up since February, Batista-Geronimo was immediately paroled. But because of a detainer placed on her by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she may remain in custody until officials decide if she should be deported, Banach said.

While she was in Lehigh County Prison, Batista-Geronimo's husband was killed in a crash on Interstate 78, according to her attorney, James Burke of Bethlehem.

-- Kevin Amerman



http://www.mcall.com/news/all-a10_5idth ... 9301.story

Oh but she just came here for a better life...................

she may remain in custody until officials decide if she should be deported, Banach said.

decide if?

But because of a detainer placed on her by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she may remain in custody until officials decide if she should be deported, Banach said.

There is nothing for officials to decide. FOLLOW THE LAW AND DEPORT HER!