Tag Archives: Permanent Resident Card

Chicago Woman Arrested for Selling Fraudulent Identity Documents to Illegal Aliens

February 22, 2013blogarrest, benefits fraud, criminal alien, deportation, detention, Green Card, HSI, ICE, identity fraud, illegal alien, illegal immigration, immigration fraud, Permanent Resident Card, removal, USCISAlex Meyerovich

A woman was arrested Wednesday, February 13, 2013, on charges she allegedly sold fraudulent identity documents to illegal aliens. These charges resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Allison Mendez, 32, of Melrose Park,Ill., was arrested Feb. 13 and charged in a criminal complaint with selling false identification documents.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, between May 2012 and Jan. 2013 Mendez allegedly sold nine sets of false identification documents on six occasions. A set included a counterfeit U.S. permanent resident card (green card) and a counterfeit social security card.

During the course of the investigation, cooperating witnesses posing as customers allegedly placed orders for false documents with Mendez by sending her a text message with the photograph and the biographical information they wanted to appear on the documents. Mendez then delivered the completed documents to customers, charging between $80 and $110 for a set of counterfeit cards, according to the complaint.

The complaint also alleges that during a recorded conversation with a cooperating witness, Mendez stated she had been in the counterfeit document business for about 15 years and that her software program could make social security cards, insurance cards, green cards and drivers’ licenses.

HSI was assisted in this investigation by the Chicago Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, with additional support provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Addison Police Department.

If convicted, Mendez faces up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. As an illegal alien from Nicaragua, Mendez will be placed into deportation proceedings upon conclusion of her criminal case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Young, Northern District of Illinois, is prosecuting the case.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Three Men Arrested for Immigration Document Fraud

August 3, 2012blogarrest, document fraud, Employment Authorization Card, HSI, ICE, immigration fraud, Permanent Resident Card, SCPO, Social Security CardAlex Meyerovich

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents along with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office (SCPO) and Raritan Borough Police Department arrested three men Monday, July 30, 2012, for manufacturing and possessing fraudulent government documents.

In February, HSI special agents informed SCPO detectives that Michael Arias, 31, of Raritan, N.J., was allegedly manufacturing fraudulent government documents.

In April, HSI special agents, along with SCPO detectives, conducted an undercover operation at Arias’ residence for the purpose of purchasing fraudulent U.S. government documents. A subsequent meeting occurred in July. During the undercover meeting, a fraudulent U.S. Permanent Resident Card, a fraudulent U.S. Social Security card and a fraudulent Department of Homeland Security Employment Authorization card were purchased from Arias.

On July 30, special agents and officers executed a search warrant at Arias’ residence. The search resulted in the seizure of a computer, printer, laminator, numerous government identification cards and other items that are utilized in the manufacturing of fraudulent government documents. During the execution of the search warrant, Michael Delgado Sibaja, 25, of Raritan, N.J., and Fernando Valencia Alvarado, 42, of Somerville, N.J., were present and found to be in possession of fraudulent government documents.

Arias was arrested and charged with manufacturing false government documents, trafficking in personal identification information, and forgery. Sibaja and Alvarado were both arrested and charged with possession of fraudulent government documents.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Man Facing Up to 30 Years in Jail for Fake Green Card

October 26, 2011blogAttorney, Attorney General, Connecticut, CT, Green Card, HSI, ICE, illegal, Lawyer, Permanent Resident, Permanent Resident Card, Peru, Re-entryAlex Meyerovich

A federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment yesterday charging a Connecticut man with one count of re-entry in a case investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Roberto A. Mori-Perez, 55, a citizen of Peru who recently resided in New Haven, is also charged with one count of possession of a fraudulent permanent resident card in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport.

The indictment alleges that Mori-Perez, who was previously deported from the U.S. to his native Peru, illegally re-entered the U.S. According to legal records, he did not obtain the consent of the U.S. attorney general or his successor, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to reapply for admission into the U.S.

The indictment also alleges that on Aug.17, 2011, Mori-Perez possessed a fraudulent permanent resident card. According to previously filed court documents, he was deported from the U.S. to Peru on Aug. 29, 1989, after he was convicted of the criminal sale of a controlled substance, which is an aggravated felony.

If convicted, Mori-Perez faces a maximum 20-year prison term for illegally re-entering the U.S. and a maximum 10-year prison term for possessing a fraudulent permanent resident card.

Mori-Perez has been detained since his arrest on August 17, 2011.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David B. Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, that charges are only allegations, and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation of this case included U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) National Fugitive Operations Program. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj Patel.