2 illegal immigrants sentenced in Dayton for fake ID scheme

Two brothers who have illegally entered the United States several times were sentenced Wednesday for creating fake IDs, including some for other illegal immigrants.

Blas Martinez-Roldan, 42, and Miguel Martinez-Roldan, 44, were sentenced in Dayton’s U.S. District Court for their roles in running a fake identification business catering to people who want immigration, state and federal IDs, according to the United States Secret Service.

Blas was sentenced to two years in prison while Miguel was sentenced to 21 months of incarceration.

RELATED: Feds charge 3 for allegedly illegally producing fake immigration, other IDs

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Rose said both defendants likely will be deported immediately after serving their federal prison sentences.

Blas, also known as Carlos Martinez, and Miguel, aka “El Vecino” (which translates to “The Neighbor”), have been deported from the United States multiple times each, something assistant U.S. attorney Dwight Keller said is “a complete scoffing of U.S. immigration law.”

A criminal complaint said the defendants produced nearly 100 fraudulent Social Security cards, U.S. Permanent Resident Identifications, Ohio driver’s licenses and IDs as well as California IDs.

RELATED: Three booked into local jails face federal prosecution, deportation

Miguel’s wife, U.S. citizen Angela Martinez, was sentenced last week to three years’ probation with special conditions.

Through an interpreter, both men apologized for their actions and said they regretted their actions.

“I would like to ask for forgiveness for having done this,” Miguel told Rose. “I shouldn’t have done it. I apologize to you and all of those who were affected.”

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The 2½-year investigation was a cooperative effort among several law enforcement agencies, according to Kevin Dye, Resident Agent in Charge for the Dayton office of the United States Secret Service.

All three defendants were arrested Aug. 23 pursuant to outstanding Fairborn Municipal Court arrest warrants and face state felony and misdemeanor charges for conspiracy, money laundering and forgery, according to the complaint.

After a federal search warrant was signed, fake IDs and equipment were seized from both 209 N. Irwin St. and 1754 Huffman Ave. in Dayton.

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