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Three Brazilian nationals were arrested today on charges they were producing fraudulent immigration and identification documents for sale to illegal aliens who were seeking to obtain Massachusetts and Maine drivers licenses.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Robin M. Avers, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New England; and Colonel Thomas G. Robbins, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced today that three individuals were arrested on criminal complaints charging them with Conspiracy, Counterfeiting Immigration Documents and Possessing Illegal Identification Documents.
Those charged are:
1) Antonio Ferreira, of 61 Waite Street, Malden, MA;
2) Adriano X. Amaro, of 545 Main Street, Medford, MA; and
3) Ivanice Silva, of 25 Ashland Street, Taunton, MA.
According to affidavits filed in support of the complaints, it is alleged that Ferreira produced counterfeit immigration and identification documents such as visas, green cards and social security cards depending on the needs of "customers."
It is alleged the Amaro and Silva worked for Ferreira assisting him in a number of ways. It is alleged that they helped to locate customers; advise and assist the customers with the license application process either at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and received payments for the fraudulent documents.
The three defendants were arrested this morning and will appear this afternoon in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.
If convicted, each of the defendants faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the Counterfeiting and Possessing Immigration Documents charge, 5 years in prison on the general Conspiracy charge and 3 years in prison on each of the remaining charges.
The details contained in the complaints are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Massachusetts State Police's Compliance Unit with assistance from the Diplomatic Security Service, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bator in Sullivan's Major Crimes Unit.
Source: U.S. Attorney
PRNewswire
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