Woman charged with making and selling fake IDs, faces deportation
Posted:
Updated:
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
A 32-year-old west suburban woman -- an illegal alien from Nicaragua -- faces deportation and up to 15 years in prison after being charged with making and selling fake identity documents to other illegal aliens.
Allison Mendez of Melrose Park was arrested Wednesday and charged in a federal criminal complaint with selling false identification documents, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to court documents, between May 2012 and January 2013, Mendez sold nine sets of false ID documents on six occasions. A set included a counterfeit U.S. permanent resident card (green card) and a counterfeit Social Security card.
During the course of the investigation, cooperating witnesses posed as customers to place orders for false documents by sending Mendez a text message with the photo and biographical information they wanted on the documents, a release from ICE said. Mendez then delivered the completed documents, charging between $80 and $110 for a set, according to the complaint.
The complaint states that during a recorded conversation with one cooperating witness, Mendez said she'd been in the counterfeit document business for about 15 years, using a software program that could make Social Security, insurance and green cards, as well as drivers' licenses.
If convicted, Mendez faces up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. As an illegal alien from Nicaragua, she will also be placed into deportation proceedings upon conclusion of her criminal case, the release said.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:57 GMT
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:16 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:16:28 GMT
A Lake County jury has convicted James Ealy of strangling his former boss during a 2006 robbery at the north suburban Burger King restaurant where he once worked.
A Lake County jury has convicted James Ealy of strangling his former boss during a 2006 robbery at the north suburban Burger King restaurant where he once worked.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:40:48 GMT
Several military families were honored in Orland Park on Friday, and got to meet country music superstar Tim McGraw. Five of those families are from the Chicago area, and they were excited to meet him.
Several military families were honored in Orland Park on Friday, and got to meet country music superstar Tim McGraw. Five of those families are from the Chicago area, and they were excited to meet him.
