http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/17
Investigators Suspect Larger Organization Involved In ID Case
By Anna FryTHE MORNING NEWS
Benton County Sheriff's investigators believe three men arrested last weekend in connection with fraudulent identification documents coordinated with a larger organization that brings illegal immigrants to the country, they said. Deputies began spotting business cards about two months ago with only a first name, phone number and a guarantee for fast service in Spanish when they made traffic stops, said Corey Coggin, a deputy with the Crime Suppression Unit. They found the Bethel Heights address on IDs and other documents during three traffic stops, Coggin said. Coggin and another deputy went to a home at 3392 Garrett Lane on Saturday. The man answering the door, Fidel Reyes-Morales, 43, gave them permission to search. Once the deputies found a laptop and printer, Reyes-Morales ran from the house, Coggin said. The deputies chased him for a half mile before catching him. When they returned to the house, two other men had arrived. The deputies arrested Emiliano Reynosa-Hilario, 30, and Yobani Jimenez-Estrada, 26. Investigators confiscated a printer, a scanner, a laptop, ledgers detailing supply inventories, holographic blank cards and faulty fake identification cards. They found bank records showing money was sent back to Mexico and numerous phone cards showing the men called Mexico frequently, Coggin said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating a larger related organization, Coggin said. Temple Black, a public information officer, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement wasn't involved in the weekend arrests and the agency won't comment on possible ongoing investigations. The men made between $4,000 and $10,000 every two weeks, their handwritten records show. The men operated from 2560 Mia Place Apt. B in Springdale until they got evicted, Coggin said. They moved into a new brick home in a Bethel Heights neighborhood a few months ago, he said. Investigators believe two or three other men were involved and are trying to track them down. Too much money is involved for the other men not to re-establish themselves in the area, Sgt. Brandon Rogers said. The three men were still in jail Wednesday. Reynosa-Hilario is being held on a $50,000 bond on suspicion of felony possession of a forgery device and misdemeanor possessing instruments of crime. Reyes-Morales is also being held on a $50,000 bond on suspicion of misdemeanor fleeing and felony possession of a forgery device. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has holds on all three men. Investigators don't have proof that Jimenez-Estrada lived at the residence, but he gave them a fake name, Coggin said. He is held on a $5,000 bond on suspicion of misdemeanor obstructing governmental operations and possessing instruments of crime. The names police are using are among several aliases each man has and officials don't know their real names, Coggin said. The men are scheduled for arraignment Jan. 20, Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone said. He expects to file charges before then.
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No word yet on wether or not Bishop Taylor has claimed for ID theft to be morally justified. I don't think there will be any other immigration stories until Dec 25th. So until then,
Merry Christmas!
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