Three charged in fake documents scheme
In mid March, members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit initiated an undercover operation aimed at the manufacturing and selling of fraudulent identification cards and Social Security cards in Bonita Springs. The nearly six-month-long operation targeted a family living at 27881 New York Street, Trailer 1A, Bonita Springs.
Over the past several months, undercover operatives made several purchases of fraudulent documentation from three individuals, identified as Roberto Cruz, 44, his wife Eva Cruz, 32, and their son, Alex Cruz Juarez, 19. Due to the actions of the suspects, along with information obtained through the course of the investigation, all three were arrested Wednesday.
During the investigation, detectives would go to the Cruz’s home and pay $100 to $120 for a resident alien card and a Social Security card. After a number of visits to the Cruz home for similar transactions, investigators learned of a sophisticated system set up in the family’s garage designed to create fake identification cards and other fraudulent documentation. The cards provided by the Cruz’s would identify the buyer as a Mexican citizen, complete with his or her own Social Security number. These cards were then believed to be used by a number of undocumented citizens in Southwest Florida to obtain work with unsuspecting employers.
The incident remains under investigation. In addition to state charges, detectives are currently working with ICE to obtain possible federal indictments against the suspects.
The investigation has resulted in the following charges:
* Eva Cruz – Nine felony charges including; three counts of Possession of Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1a), three counts of Selling or Manufacturing Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1d) and three counts of Selling, Trading or Giving Away a Driver’s License or Identification Card (322.212-2).
* Roberto Cruz – Six felony charges including; two counts of Possession of Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1a), two counts of Selling or Manufacturing Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1d) and two counts of Selling, Trading or Giving Away a Driver’s License or Identification Card (322.212-2).
* Alex Cruz Juarez – Six felony charges including; two counts of Possession of Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1a), two counts of Selling or Manufacturing Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1d) and two counts of Selling, Trading or Giving Away a Driver’s License or Identification Card (322.212-2).
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office