04/13/2006
Tax
Preparer Pleads Guilty to Preparation of False Tax Returns
Defendant Falsely Made and Sold Identification Documents to People
from as Far Away as Northern California and Yakima, Washington
PORTLAND, OREGON
- Woodburn, Oregon resident FREDI A. RENTERIA-MONTES plead guilty to
Visa fraud under l8 USC Sec l546(a) and Aggravated Identity Theft under
l8 USC Sec l028A.
RENTERIA-MONTES
faces a maximum sentence of up to l0 years imprisonment, fine of $250,000,
and a $l00 fee assessment for the Visa fraud; and a mandatory minimum
consecutive sentence of 2 years imprisonment, fine of $250,000, and
a $l00 fee assessment on the Aggravated Identity Theft. Sentencing is
set for June 20, 2006.
"Trafficking
in counterfeit documents poses a serious security vulnerability and
contributes to a host of other types of crimes, including identity theft
and financial fraud," said Leigh Winchell, Special Agent in Charge
for Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations in Oregon. "Our
goal is to identify and ultimately dismantle the criminal organizations
behind these highly lucrative schemes."
For the past several years, RENTERIA-MONTES worked as a document vendor
who manufactured and sold illegal identification documents in Woodburn,
Oregon. The documents were of exceptional quality, and RENTERIA-MONTES
was believed to be the primary source of quality illegal identification
documents in the area. Buyers traveled to Woodburn, Oregon from as far
away as Northern California and Yakima, Washington, to purchase documents.
The finished documents were generally sold in sets containing a Social
Security card and a Lawful Resident Alien card. The price varied but
the documents were generally offered and sold for $l00. RENTERIA-MONTES
also sold state driver licenses, identification cards, and other state
and Mexican identification documents.
"Document
fraud is a serious offense that affects the very fabric of our society
and infrastructure. The message must be loud and clear that illegal
trafficking of identification documents will be dealt with severely,"
stated U.S. Attorney Karin Immergut.
Last week, officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Department
of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of State and other agencies
announced the creation of task forces in l0 major U.S. cities to combat
the growing problems of document fraud and immigration benefits fraud.
The new "Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces" will be located
in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, New York,
Newark, Philadelphia, and St. Paul.
To view a copy of
the indictment, click
here.
This case was investigated
by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") and prosecuted
by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kemp Strickland. Further information can
be obtained from Diane Peterson, Public Information Officer, at 503-727-l066.
