Maryland Man CONVICTED OF MANUFACTURING, SELLING AND TRANSFERRING FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS

Baltimore, Maryland - A federal jury convicted Victor Lopez Escamilla a/k/a “Mango Chupado,”and “Ventura,” age 39, of Brooklyn, Maryland, today on charges of manufacturing, selling and transferring fraudulent identification documents, including permanent resident cards and social security cards. Escamilla is a Mexican national residing in the U.S. illegally.
 
The verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein: Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia  Field Division; Special Agent in Charge John Schilling of the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service - Washington Field Office; and John Kuo, Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration - Investigation and Security Services Division.

 According to court documents and testimony at Escamilla Lopez’s three day trial, from July 2009, through the spring or summer of 2010, Escamilla Lopez was selling fraudulent documents made by a group in the 200 block of South Broadway in Baltimore.  Witnesses testified that Escamilla Lopez solicited individuals in the Baltimore area to purchase fake identification documents and Escamilla Lopez was observed and photographed receiving and distributing fake identification documents.  The evidence reflected that in the spring or summer of 2010, Escamilla Lopez began manufacturing documents himself in a “document mill” in his bedroom.  The evidence showed that Escamilla Lopez received photographs and personal information from the individuals ordering the documents, which he then used to manufacture the fraudulent documents.  Evidence showed that Escamilla Lopez generally charged between $100 and $150 for a permanent resident and social security card, and at least $100 for a fraudulent Maryland driver’s license.
 
 
A search of Escamilla Lopez’s residence in Brooklyn, Maryland, on May 26, 2011, recovered counterfeit documents, used ribbons showing documents that had been created, and equipment and supplies used to make counterfeit documents.  Over 100 exhibits were presented at trial, including a Cheetos can with a fake bottom that contained numerous fraudulent identification documents, which was recovered from Escamilla Lopez’s bedroom.
 

Escamilla Lopez faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for the transfer of false identification documents; a maximum of 10 years in prison for fraud and misuse of immigration documents; and a maximum of five years in prison for social security fraud.  U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. has scheduled sentencing for March 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. 
 
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised ICE Homeland Security Investigations; the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General; the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service - Washington Field Office; the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration - Investigation and Security Services Division; and the Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County Police Departments for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tamera L. Fine, who is prosecuting the case.