KANSAS CITY, KAN. - Two Mexican nationals were indicted Wednesday on charges of possessing hundreds of false identification documents, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Sergio Alberto Torres Adame, 37, and Lilia Ivonne Jaquez Arratia, 35, both of Juarez, Mexico, are charged with one count of unlawful possession of identification documents.
In court documents, it is alleged the two were carrying hundreds of false documents when a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper stopped them for speeding on Highway 54 in Liberal, Kan. In the car, the trooper found:
* An envelope with 30 counterfeit Social Security cards in numerous names and 30 counterfeit birth certificates in numerous names and states including Colorado, Texas, Nevada and California.
* An envelope with 31 counterfeit birth certificates and 32 Social Security cards.
* An envelope with 30 counterfeit birth certificates and 30 Social Security cards.
* An envelope with 29 counterfeit social security cards and 29 counterfeit birth certificates.
* An envelope with 15 genuine Social Security Cards and 12 possibly counterfeit state birth certificates.
* An envelope with 100 blank counterfeit Social Security cards.
If convicted, they face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas Highway Patrol and U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Three Wichita men are charged with possessing firearms that were stolen from a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.
Travis Keller, 38, Wichita, Kan.; Arthur Mannie, 38, Wichita, Kan., and Justin Winger, 36, Wichita, Kan., were charged with one count each of possessing stolen firearms, one count of possession of a rifle with a short barrel and two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents, the investigation began April 19 when a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s officer found three windows broken out of his unmarked vehicle and three firearms missing. The stolen firearms included a Remington shotgun, a Bushmaster M4 rifle and a Glock 9 mm pistol.
Investigators used surveillance footage to identify a car driven by Keller when he is alleged to have broken into the Sheriff’s vehicle. Investigators learned Keller and co-defendant Justin Winger took the stolen firearms to co-defendant Arthur Mannie for sale.
Upon conviction, the defendant faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
Eric Staal, 23, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 28, 2018, in Butler County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh is prosecuting.
Alejandro Esquivel, Jr., 45, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of making a false statement on a passport application and one count of misrepresenting himself as a United States citizen. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 28, 2016, in Johnson County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the passport charge and up to three years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. Defense Security Services investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
