Investigation Into ID Theft Ring Leads to 11 Arrests

An investigation into the purchase and distribution of fraudulent identification documents led to felony charges and multiple arrests in Jefferson and Saline Counties on violations of Nebraska State Statutes for criminal impersonation and identity theft.On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, following a nearly yearlong investigation, 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 warrants and 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.”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.According to court documents, each suspect arrested had at least one listed alias. Eight suspect were booked into the Jefferson County jail:Martha Cifuentes-Carreto (aliases include Adriana Isabel Trevino and Maria Morales Camacho) No Photo Available.Estela Gomez-Lucas (alias Marguerite Rodriguez)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)Julio Romero-Diaz (alias John Avila)Hilda Romero-Perez (alias Julie Katherine Ocejo) “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,” said Rhonda Lahm, Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.Officials from the Department of Motor Vehicles have not confirmed the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at this time.All of the Jefferson County suspects have been released on $50,000 (10 percent) bonds apiece.This is a developing story. FJN will report further details when they become available.

Sunday House Fire Leaves Family Homeless

From the Courthouse

Related Articles

Nevada Auto Larceny Suspect Arrested in Jefferson County

Fairbury Man Accepts Probation for Obstruction Charge

Wymore Man Charged with Assault in Jefferson County

Fairbury Woman Faces Felony Drug Charge