United States Attorney James R. Dedrick
Eastern District of Tennessee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 8, 2008
THREE GUATEMALANS PLEAD GUILTY TO IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT FRAUD
[GREENEVILLE, TN] - Ermilo Herrera-Juarez, Gelber Herrera-Juarez, and Hugo Benedicto Herrera-Perez pled guilty on Thursday, August 7, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville, Tennessee, to using a false identification document to procure employment in the United States in violation of immigration laws. Sentencing for all three men has been set for December 2, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., in United States District Court in Greeneville, Tennessee, before the Honorable Leon Jordan, United States District Judge.
Each defendant faces a maximum punishment of up to five (5) years imprisonment; $250,000 in fines; deportation immediately upon completion of the term of imprisonment; up to three years supervised release; and, a $100 special assessment.
The three men who entered the United States outside the legal entry process were arrested on March 18, 2008, by the Morristown Police Department, which executed a search warrant on a Morristown residence. The Morristown Police Department found an active identification document mill, which generated false Resident Alien Cards used by the three men to procure employment in Knoxville and Morristown, Tennessee. In some instances the false Resident Alien Cards used the identities and Alien numbers of lawful permanent residents and in other instances, the false Resident Alien Cards used fictitious identities and Alien numbers. Charges are pending against the person who generated the false identification documents
A federal grand jury sitting in Greeneville, Tennessee, returned two-count indictments against all three men on May 14, 2008. The indictments resulted from an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Morristown Police Department. Helen Smith, Assistant United States Attorney represented the government.
For additional information, please contact United States Attorney Russ Dedrick, 865-545-4167, Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Smith, 423-639-6759 x 110, or Public Information Officer Sharry Dedman-Beard, 865-545-4167.