Customer Service Representative Indicted For Conspiracy To Issue Fraudulently Obtained Florida Driver Licenses And Aggravated Identity Theft

Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the return of an indictment charging Walter Brown (41, Kissimmee) with one count of conspiracy to knowingly and without lawful authority produce identification documents and nine counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Brown faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and two years in federal prison for each count of aggravated identity theft charge.

According to the indictment, Brown was a Customer Service Representative in the Office of the Osceola County Tax Collector. Brown’s primary duty was to issue driver licenses and identification cards. Court documents show that in his capacity as a Customer Service Representative, Brown issued at least 200 Florida driver licenses and identification cards individuals who may not be legally entitled to the documents. In some instances, Brown fraudulently issued driver licenses and identification cards in multiple identities to the same person.

The Osceola County Tax Collector’s Office reported Brown to law enforcement after internal controls revealed suspicious activity involving his issuance of Florida State driver licenses and identification cards. The Tax Collector’s Office cooperated fully in the investigation. Brown was terminated from his employment.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Services, and the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Myrna Amelia Mesa.