Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Orchestrating Massive Nationwide Counterfeit Document Scheme
A federal judge has handed down prison sentences to a Mexican couple residing in Kansas City for their leadership roles in a sophisticated, nationwide document fraud conspiracy. Jorge Augusto Prieto-Gamboa, 34, and Karina Garcia-Salazar, 29, were sentenced following an extensive investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which exposed a network distributing high-quality fake identification documents across 45 states.
According to court documents, the operation was substantial in scale and complexity. Prieto-Gamboa was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison, while Garcia-Salazar received a 24-month sentence. The couple admitted to producing and selling fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident cards (Green Cards), Social Security cards, and driver’s licenses. The investigation, which culminated in a raid on their residence, led to the seizure of printers, scanners, cutting devices, and supplies used to manufacture the illicit documents. Investigators found that the couple utilized United States Postal Service priority mail to ship the counterfeits to customers throughout the country, generating significant illicit revenue.
This case highlights a persistent challenge facing federal law enforcement: the sophisticated underground economy of document forgery. For decades, the production of fraudulent documents has served as a primary enabler for identity theft, benefit fraud, and unauthorized employment. HSI officials emphasized that these are not victimless crimes, as the proliferation of fake identities compromises the integrity of the nation’s immigration system and poses potential risks to national security and public safety by allowing unvetted individuals to bypass screening protocols.
However, legal observers and immigrant advocacy groups often point to the nuance required when analyzing the motivations behind such schemes. While federal prosecutors frame these operations as threats to national security, defense arguments in similar cases frequently highlight that the primary market for these documents consists of undocumented individuals seeking the means to work and survive economically in the United States. Unlike fraud rings intent on emptying bank accounts or facilitating terrorism, the customer base for “Green Cards” and Social Security numbers is overwhelmingly driven by the demand for labor in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. Despite these mitigating socioeconomic factors, federal law mandates stiff penalties for the manufacturing of federal identification, prioritizing the deterrence of document mills over the intent of the end-users.
Both defendants are expected to face deportation proceedings upon the completion of their prison terms. The dismantling of this Kansas City-based ring marks a significant victory for ICE in its ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply chains of fraudulent documentation within the interior of the United States.
