First Sentences Handed Down in ID Theft Cases

Five of the defendants arrested and charged after a years-long investigation into the purchase and distribution of fraudulent identification documents were sentenced. In accordance with the plea agreements with the prosecution, all defendants were fined, with none receiving probation or jail time.The defendants appeared in Jefferson County District Court for sentencing on Wednesday, September 5, 2024. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.Each suspect was originally charged with identity theft, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and criminal impersonation, a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The DefendantsThe defendants were represented by attorney Nathan C. Dallon of Hatch and Dallon, LLC, of Omaha:Gloria Mendez-Lopez (alias Rosemary Trujillo)Fredy Monterroso-Escobar (alias Charly Medina)Sarai Monterroso-Monterroso (alias Graciela Tlapanco Bautista)Edilsa Monterroso-Velazquez (alias Michelle Gonzalez)Yulie Escobar (alias Briana Nicole Montanez) The Plea DealTwo of the defendants, Edilsa Monterroso-Velazquez and Sarai Monterroso-Monterroso, pleaded guilty to the felony charge, identity theft. The other four pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of criminal impersonation. The remaining charges were dismissed.According to court documents, each suspect arrested had at least one listed alias. County Attorney Joseph Casson indicated to the court that the defendants used false identities to obtain employment. Dallon added that, in all but one of these cases, the stolen identities have been used my many other people.In accordance with the plea deal, both the prosecution and defense jointly recommended a fine.A judge is not bound to follow any sentencing agreement between the defense and prosecution. Judge Bargen said he was seriously considering incarceration but decided to follow the recommendations of the plea agreement.All defendants were fined the maximum amounts allowable by law: $1,000 for the misdemeanor charges and $10,000 for the felonies. Investigation and ArrestOn Tuesday, November 21, 2023, following an investigation that began in April of 2021, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the Jefferson and Saline County Sheriff Offices, Crete Police Department and the Omaha Office of Homeland Security Investigations, served arrest warrants in Fairbury and Crete, Nebraska. A total of eleven individuals were arrested and transported to local county jails.The investigation is ongoing and, as a result, the arrest affidavit has been sealed. According to the motion to seal the affidavit, “The Plaintiff shows the Court that certain information contained in the Arrest Affidavit could compromise the further investigation of the alleged crimes.”Each suspect has been charged with identity theft, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and criminal impersonation, a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.Due to the ongoing investigation, the arrest affidavits have been sealed. According to the motion to seal the affidavit, “The Plaintiff shows the Court that certain information contained in the Arrest Affidavit could compromise the further investigation of the alleged crimes.”In a press release shortly after the arrest, Rhonda Lahm, Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, said, “We are pleased the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office has pursued these identity theft related charges. This helps to further our ability to stop criminal activity which victimizes Nebraska citizens.” Other DefendantsAnother defendant, Dunia A. Orellana Sorto (alias Jessica Hernandez), is represented by Lincoln attorney Christina Thornton. She has also accepted a plea deal. Sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2024.Hilda Romero-Perez (alias Julie Katherine Ocejo), is also represented by Dallon, also accepted a plea agreement. She pleaded guilty to felony identity theft. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2024.Estela Gomez-Lucas (alias Marguerite Rodriguez) accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation. She is represented by attorney Paul J. Forney of Omaha. Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2024.Another defendant, Martha R. Cifuentes Carreto (alias Adriana Isabel Trevino) was not scheduled to appear in court that day. Her attorney is Carlos Monzon.

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