Two Men Plead Guilty to Selling Fraudulent Social Security and Permanent Resident Cards

Two men pleaded guilty Monday to selling fraudulent social security and permanent resident cards to individuals unlawfully living in the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Cristian Alvarado Morales, 30, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transfer identification documents; three counts of aggravated identity theft; possession with intent to use and transfer five or more documents and authentication features; and unlawful reentry of a removed alien. Alvarado was previously removed from the United States on March 25, 2008, from Laredo, Texas. Anderson Garces Lopez, 29, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transfer identification documents.

In their plea agreements, Alvarado and Garces both admitted to conspiring to sell the fraudulent social security and permanent resident cards for personal profit. The two stated that they possessed and sold more than 100 false or fraudulent identification documents. The pair used the identities of individuals both living and deceased.

“Motivated by greed, Alvarado and Garces enabled countless illegal aliens to flout our nation’s immigration laws by selling phony identification documents for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Working and living in the United States is a privilege understandably desired by many, but there are laws governing admission and citizenship into our nation. This U.S. Attorney’s Office will uphold federal immigration laws enacted by Congress and vigorously prosecute those who facilitate unlawful entry into our country.”

“Protecting our Homeland takes many forms, but enforcing the integrity of U.S. identity documents is a critical element,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge of the Dallas Office of Homeland Security Investigations, which includes Oklahoma.  “The HSI-led Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces nationwide investigate the individuals and organizations who try to reap illegal profits by producing and distributing fraudulent documents.”

U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell set sentencing for Feb. 10, 2020.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella is prosecuting the case.