U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SILVIA MARIA GARCIA-COYADO, age 34, last residing in Houma, pled guilty today to a three-count Indictment for unlawful transfer of identification documents.
According to the court documents, on or about Jan. 20, 2016, GARCIA-COYADO provided a confidential informant with a Texas identification card and a Social Security card in exchange for $120. The documents provided had the name, photograph, and date of birth specified by the informant. The Social Security number on the card was associated with an actual person who was not the person identified on the card. On May 25, 2016, and June 2, 2016, GARCIA-COYADO provided an undercover agent with Texas identification cards and Social Security cards in exchange for money. The documents had the name, photograph, and date of birth specified by the agent. The Social Security numbers on the cards were associated with actual people who were not those identified on the cards.
GARCIA-COYADO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of $250,000, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown set sentencing for Oct. 20, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Greenfield is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
