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Press Release

Producer Of Fraudulent Identification Documents Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee

Mario Bravo Romualdo, 27, of Mexico pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to document fraud, arising from his possession of devices designed for making false federal and state identification documents, announced David Rivera, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

Romualdo was arrested on October 24, 2012 while attempting to sell fraudulent identification documents including a Social Security Card and an Employment Authorization Card.    He was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 29, 2012, along with co-defendants Isaias Hernandez Ramos, Juan Tello Leynes, and Maria Marquez Ramirez, who were charged with document fraud and conspiring with Bravo Romualdo to produce, transfer, and possess false identification documents, including false Social Security Cards and false Permanent Resident Cards.  Charges against the co-defendants are pending.

“The production and sale of false identification documents is a threat to our national security and to the integrity of government programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “This office will remain committed to prosecuting those who commit document fraud.”

"Document fraud is an incredibly serious crime that potentially enables terrorists and other criminals to enter the United States under false pretenses," said Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. "Homeland Security Investigations will aggressively investigate and seek prosecution of individuals who threaten national security by producing fraudulent government documents.” Parmer oversees a five-state area to include Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

During the plea hearing, Bravo Romualdo admitted possessing document-making devices, including 17 blank cards bearing a seal of the United States Department of Justice; 54 blank cards bearing the names and emblems of various states; and a specialized card printer and other electronic equipment designed for manufacturing false identification documents. Romualdo further admitted using these devices to produce false documents, including false Permanent Resident Cards.

Romualdo is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior Judge John T. Nixon on July 26, 2013.  He faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Identity Crimes Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William F. Abely.

An indictment is merely an accusation and is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Updated March 19, 2015