Buffalo man pleads guilty to illegal selling identification documents

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jorge Garcia, 37, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara, to  possession with intent to use or transfer unlawfully five or more identification documents. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. 

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that Garcia sold nine sets of identification documents in exchange for $6,300 in cash. The documents consisted of Puerto Rican birth certificates, New York state birth certificates, Michigan state birth certificates and U.S. Social Security Cards. The defendant was led to believe that the nine sets of authentic identification documents would be used to allow illegal immigrants to remain and work in the United States unlawfully.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-In-Charge James C. Spero.

            Sentencing is scheduled for September 19, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.