Monday, November 23, 2009

[GREENEVILLE, Tenn] - On November 19, 2009, a federal grand jury in Greeneville, Tenn, returned a two-count indictment for the manufacture of false documents, against Lindsey Rebecca Shepard, 27, of Johnson City, Tenn. Shepard appeared in court on November 20, 2009, before United States Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. She was released pending a January 26, 2010, trial in United States District Court, in Greeneville, Tennessee.

The indictment alleges that between April 1, 2008 and April 13, 2009, Shepard unlawfully produced identification documents that appeared to be issued by the United States and falsely made documents prescribed by statute for entry or retention into the United States. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of all the equipment she used to manufacture the false documents.

If convicted, Shepard faces a maximum term of fifteen years in prison on the first count and a maximum term of ten years in prison on the second count. Both charges may result in fines up to $250,000, five years of supervised release, and mandatory $100 assessments.

United States Attorney Russ Dedrick noted that his office has consistently prosecuted individuals who prey upon undocumented workers by selling false identification documents. According to Dedrick the Department of Justice relies heavily upon local and state law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of the immigration process. Shepard is an American citizen who was born in Tennessee and sold documents to Spanish-speaking undocumented workers.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Smith represents the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.