After admitting to producing ten to fifteen false documents a day on occasion, illegal alien, Fernando Minkes-Rodriguez, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in Phoenix on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Fraud in Connection with Production of Identification Documents and two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting.
Jonathan De La Riva-Lorenzo, also an illegal alien, was also indicted with Minkes-Rodriguez on one count of conspiracy to Commit Fraud in Connection with Production of Identification Documents and two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting.
The indictment alleges that De La Riva-Lorenzo and Minkes-Rodriguez conspired, produced, and possessed false identification documents that were made to appear to have been issued by the United States.
De La Riva-Lorenzo and Minkes-Rodriguez worked together to make fraudulent identity documents, including lawful permanent resident cards (“green cards”), social security cards and state identification cards for undocumented aliens. De La Riva-Lorenzo and Minkes-Rodriguez required their customers to provide their biographical information, along with a headshot, which was used in producing the documents.
On May 14, 2024, special agents with Homeland Security Investigations executed federal search warrants at several locations in Arizona associated with De La Riva-Lorenzo and Minkes-Rodriguez. Agents seized a multitude of fraudulently made documents, as well as supplies to make fraudulent documents, such as industrial printers, laminate, and ink cartridges. Additionally, multiple erroneous fraudulent identity documents were discovered in Minkes-Rodriguez’ garbage.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Fraud in Connection with Production of Identification Documents carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. A conviction for Aggravated Identity Theft, Aiding and Abetting carries a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.