Terry Goddard Announces ID Theft Indictments Against Six

(Phoenix, Ariz. – September 13, 2006) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced indictments against six defendants arrested following an investigation conducted by the Arizona Fraudulent Identification Task Force (AFITF).

AFITF conducted a two-month investigation, dubbed “Operation Document Fraud,” during which undercover officers purchased false identifications and other documents. The investigation turned up hundreds of false government identification cards, Social Security cards, resident alien credentials and other documents. Buyers paid approximately $100 for each document, which was produced and delivered within 30 minutes.

The State Grand Jury returned indictments against the following defendants:

  • Raul Cuicoyatl Otero, 34, two counts of illegally conducting an enterprise, eight counts of trafficking in the identity of another and 16 counts of forgery.
  • Gabriel Visoso, 34, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, three counts of trafficking in the identity of another and four counts of forgery.
  • Mario Deaquino, 37, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, eight counts of trafficking in the identity of another and 15 counts of forgery.
  • Rudolfo Garcia Terrones, 34, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, four counts of trafficking in the identity of another and seven counts of forgery.
  • Volivar Mendoza Duarte, 22, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, six counts of trafficking in the identity of another and 16 counts of forgery.
  • Daniel Garcia-Castillo, 20, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, four counts of trafficking in the identity of another and seven counts of forgery.

The Arizona Fraudulent Identification Task Force is comprised of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Office of Inspector General/Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, Arizona Department of Corrections, Phoenix Police Department,

U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Individuals with information about false documents can contact 1-866-X FAKE ID or 1866-932-5343. Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson is prosecuting these cases.