March 31, 2007

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  NEWS: Raid Busts 3 in ID Theft Ring

  Hoke County, North Carolina police arrested three illegal immigrants on suspicion of participating in an identity theft ring this week. Authorities raided three homes in the city of Raeford and took Mallely G. Hernandez and Joel P. Zalazar, both of Raeford, and Gustavo Mateo St. Augustine of Red Springs into custody. Along with the suspects, police also seized dozens of phony drivers' licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and auto insurance cards that were used to help other illegal immigrants get jobs and buy cars, as well as the equipment used to manufacture the fake documents.
  
  The sheriff of Hoke County, Hubert Peterkin stated that it is not apparent at this time how the trio got their hands on valid state drivers' license and social security numbers. Peterkin stated at a press conference on the incident that it is not uncommon for illegal immigrants to resort to illicit measures to "fit in fast" and start making money quickly, without all the steps involved to become legally able to work.
  Authorities claim that the ring that the three men arrested are believed to belong to is involved in arranging to intercept illegal immigrants being brought to North Carolina, handling their living arrangements, and getting them such documentation as was seized in Raeford. Peterkin stated that he believes more arrests are likely in conjunction with the ring. The U.S. Secret Service is also involved in investigating the case.
  
  Hernandez, Zalazar, and Mateo each face charges of identity fraud and trafficking and distribution of false documents, say the Hoke County authorities contributing to the story. They are currently being held in the Hoke County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail apiece.
  
  
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