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Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=3725

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
3725 2012-09-21 Troop D Forged Documents at Lake Charles OMV Leads to Arrest

News Release – Region 2

September 21, 2012
Forged Documents at Lake Charles OMV Leads to Arrest

On September 21, 2012, officials with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in Lake Charles contacted Louisiana State Police detectives and reported someone was using questionable documents in an attempt to obtain a state-issued driver’s license. Troopers responded and detained 30-year-old Elmer Cortez-Villega. An inspection of the documents by detectives verified that the birth certificate and social security card he presented were fraudulent.

Troopers, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, determined Cortez-Villega is a Columbian national who is in the country illegally. Cortez-Villega was arrested for filing a false public record as well as giving false information regarding lawful presence in the United States in order to obtain a driver’s license. He was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center and a hold has been placed on him by the U.S. Border Patrol for being in the country illegally.

Cortez-Villega faces up to 5 ½ years in prison and a $5,500 fine if he is convicted.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and the Louisiana State Police will continue to work together to safeguard the integrity of state-issued identification.


Contact Information:
Sgt. James Anderson
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (337) 491-2932
james.anderson@dps.la.gov
www.lsp.org

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