BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted an undocumented Mexican national on charges concerning counterfeit identification documents, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Homeland Security Investigations Resident Agent in Charge David Denton announced.

The indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges LAZARO RUIZ-PEREZ, 36, with three counts of transferring counterfeit Social Security and Permanent Resident cards in the Tuscaloosa area during July and August. The indictment also charges Ruiz-Perez with one count of possessing the equipment to produce counterfeit documents.

"We ask for continuing help and vigilance from the community to help us detect anyone providing false identity documents, as those identities might be used by people who wish to do our country harm," Vance said.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

 

 

 

 

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