Feb 29, 2008 2:24 pm
Van Driver In Fatal Bus Crash Facing More Charges

Van Owner Also Facing Identity Theft Charges
(WCCO) The driver of the van and the owner of the van involved in the fatal Cottonwood bus crash were each charged with four additional federal charges Friday.

Prosecutors charged Olga Martina Franco del Cid, 24, the driver of the van, with two counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of false representation of a Social Security number. Authorities have said she is in the country illegally.

Francisco Sangabriel-Mendoza, 29, was the registered owner of the van involved in the crash and was also charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of false representation of a Social Security number.

Franco del Cid was charged last week in Lyon County in connection with a crash involving a school bus in Cottonwood, Minn. where four children died. After the crash, Franco del Cid told authorities she was Alianiss Nunez Morales.

After the bus crash, authorities tried to verify Franco del Cid's identity, under the Morales name she gave authorities. That investigation led them to the real Alianiss Nunez Morales, who is in Connecticut. She told authorities her purse and identification documents had been stolen more than six months ago while she was living in Puerto Rico.

Two of Morales' relatives, when shown pictures of Franco del Cid said that was not their relative.

Authorities also believe Franco del Cid filled out I-9 forms claiming she was a U.S. citizen at two Minnesota companies where she was employed under Morales' name.

During a search of Franco del Cid's home on Feb. 22, authorities found her Guatemalan birth certificate and identification cards. Authorities said they also found numerous wire transactions between Franco del Cid and her mother in Guatemala.

Authorities said Sangabriel-Mendoza used a Social Security number that wasn't his to get a job. He is not in custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Authorities said Sangabriel-Mendoza is from Mexico and is also in the country illegally.

Franco del Cid and Sangabriel-Mendoza lived together in Minneota, Minn.

If convicted, Franco del Cid and Sangabriel-Mendoza could each face up to 14 years in prison.


http://wcco.com/crime/cottonwood.bus.cr ... 66127.html