Va. man tried to get Ohio IDs for illegal immigrants

Wednesday, Sep 03, 2008 - 09:55 AM Updated: 10:27 AM

HARRISONBURG -- A Harrisonburg man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to obtain bogus Ohio identification cards for illegal aliens in Virginia.

Edwin Roberto Mendez was among eight people indicted in the case in March. He was accused of taking three illegal aliens to Ohio in October to obtain fraudulent IDs.

Federal prosecutors said Ohio was chosen because its Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices are franchises that can be obtained by individual state contractors.

Mendez pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to violate federal immigration laws and aggravated identity fraud. He faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 10.

Five co-defendants also have pleaded guilty and two others are awaiting trial.



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