December 12, 2007

ICE arrests 24 in identity theft investigation

TEXARKANA, Texas - Twenty-four people were arrested Tuesday on complaints associated with identification document fraud and immigration violations in the Eastern District of Texas. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney John L. Ratcliffe; the case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

"The consequences of identity theft go far beyond the loss of money or property and can be just as devastating to American consumers and businesses as any violent crime," said U.S. Attorney Ratcliffe. "The prosecution of individuals engaged in identity theft will therefore remain one of our highest priorities."

"Identity theft cases like these show the link between illegal immigration and criminal activity that affects people like you and me," said John Chakwin Jr., special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Dallas. "Victims of identity theft are robbed of their very financial stability, and it can take years to recover from this crime's devastating effects."

The defendants include:

1. Daniel Totosaus-Rodriguez, aka Chilango, and Marcos Garcia, charged with transferring false identification documents;
2. Jose Luis Garcia, charged with re-entering the United States after having been denied admission;
3. Reyna Villarreal, charged with making a false statement;
4. The following individuals have each been charged with using a false Social Security Account Number:
   • Maria Dominguez, aka Aldape, Araceli
   • Maria Vega-Cruz, aka Melendez, Igxila
   • Rosauro Moran-Rodriguez, aka Ramos, Mercedes
   • Jose Ramirez, aka Escalante, Carlos
   • German Yepez-Guzman, aka Ivan Damaso, aka "Fetch"
   • Gamaniel Basaldue-Reyes, aka Blanquet, Manuel
   • Rigoberto Canada-Lopez, aka Bedolla, Yoserin
   • Rigoberto Carmona-Ramirez, aka Alcon, Ronnie
   • Cecilia Perez-Lazaro, aka Chavez, Norma
   • Emilio Mejia-Angulo, aka Ramirez, Arturo
   • Jose De Jesus Ramos-Castillo, aka Leary, Jessie C.
   • Victor Martinez-Quinonez, aka Rodriguez, Rene
   • Jose Arellano-Vasquez, aka Espinoza, Guillermo
   • Damacio Tomas-Quirino, aka Heredia, Juan
   • Jose Martinez-Ramirez, aka Jimenez, Benjamin
   • Victor Perez-Sepulveda, aka Perez, Julio
   • Alejandro Claudio-Hernandez, aka Lopez, John
   • Norma Mendoza-Baldobinos, aka Alvarenga, Emerita
   • Germahin Anguino, aka Barillas, Oscar Jr.
   • Silvestre Castro-Rodriguez, aka Aguilar, Lazaro

All were arrested in Titus County, except Cecilia Perez-Lazaro and Jose Arellano-Vasquez, who were arrested in Camp County. All were taken before U. S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven in Texarkana for initial appearances on December 11 and 12.

The complaint alleges that Totosaus-Rodriguez and Marcos Garcia were selling false identification documents to be used by aliens in the state illegally to assist in gaining employment, including such documents as Social Security Account cards and birth certificates. The documents were being obtained from various sources, including from out-of-state. According to the complaint, Jose Luis Garcia was denied entry into the United States in 2001 while trying to enter using false identification documents. Thereafter, he entered the United States without authority. Reyna Villarreal, according to the complaint, submitted an application for naturalization on which she admitted that she was a citizen of Mexico and certified that she had never claimed to be a United States citizen when, according to the complaint, she had previously indicated on an immigration form that she was, in fact, a U.S. citizen. The remaining defendants, according to the complaint, were fraudulently using identification documents, including Social Security Account numbers that had not been assigned to them by the Commissioner of Social Security.

If convicted, Totosaus-Rodriguez and Marcos Garcia each face up to 15 years in prison. Jose Luis Garcia faces up to two years in prison. The remaining defendants each face up to five years in federal prison. In addition, each faces a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.

The case is being investigated by ICE and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregg Marchessault, Denise Simpson, and Alan Jackson. Also assisting in the operation and investigation are: the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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