Chain
06-24-2004, 07:05 PM
http://images.ibsys.com/2004/0624/3456752.jpg
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/3457484/detail.html
Five Indicted In Alleged ID Scam
Suspects Accused Of Helping People Illegally Obtain Documents
POSTED: 4:31 pm EST June 24, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS -- A former [SIZE=4]
Bureau of Motor Vehicles translator[/SIZE], her husband and three others have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of [SIZE=3][COLOR=Red]helping Chinese nationals fraudulently obtain Indiana driver's licenses and identification cards[/COLOR][/SIZE].
Elizabeth Lang, 40, of Greenwood, [SIZE=7]
[COLOR=Red]a native of China,[/COLOR][/SIZE] worked as a translator at numerous BMV branches in central Indiana. She was arrested last November on a charge of forgery and has pleaded not guilty.
Federal investigators said she told them she helped more than 100 people illegally obtain IDs for about $800 each.
"For someone to commit the crimes alleged here is a potential danger to all of us," U.S. Attorney Susan W. Brooks said Thursday in a news release.
Also named in the indictment were Lang's husband, Adam Lang, 41; Xiao Qi Gu, also known as David Gu, 34, of Elmhurst, N.Y.; Yi Fu Cheng, also known as Steve Cheng, 40, and Yang Chengdong, 40, both of Flushing, N.Y.
Charges include conspiracy and unlawful production of identification documents, along with fraud and false use of passports, visas and other immigration documents.
None of those who received the fraudulent identification have any known ties to terrorism, officials said. However, those charged did not know how the documents would be used, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon M. Jackson, who is prosecuting the case for the government.
The indictment alleged that from late 2000 through last November, the Langs acquired fraudulent Chinese driver's licenses and translated them into English so Chinese nationals could obtain either an Indiana driver's license or identification card.
After the BMV imposed tighter restrictions on proving identification and residency, the Langs allegedly acquired fraudulent U.S. visas, foreign passports and immigration records from Gu, Cheng and Yang.
The indictment also alleged that Gu, Cheng and Yang sent Chinese nationals from New York and other states to Indiana to obtain Indiana IDs.
"A driver's license issued in the United States is one of the most valuable government documents produced," Brooks said. "The foundation for our identification system is put at grave risk when fraudulent documents are produced and used."
Elizabeth Lang was named in each of the eight counts and faces up to 90 years in prison, Brooks said.
The Associated Press placed a call seeking comment from Lang's attorney Jeffrey Baldwin Thursday.
The others were charged with fewer counts and face anywhere from 30 to 45 years in prison.
The Langs and Gu, who was arrested in New York on Monday, are to appear before a U.S. magistrate in Indianapolis for an initial hearing on July 12. Cheng is in custody in New York, and Yang is still being sought, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"I am pleased that the BMV can work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the documents we issue in Indiana are secure and are based on verified identities," new BMV Commissioner Mary L. DePrez said.
Four BMV workers are among 27 people who have been charged since late last year in the license scam. DePrez took over the agency on March 1 after former commissioner Gerald Coleman resigned.
[COLOR=Blue]NO photo or mention of her racial Chinese heritage at this site, WETHR, NBC channel 13, in Indianapolis-[/COLOR]
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=1966871&nav=9TaiOAxf
[COLOR=Blue]NO photo or mention of her racial Chinese heritage at this site, the major "Indianapolis Star"-[/COLOR] http://www.indystar.com/articles/7/157446-3817-092.html
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/3457484/detail.html
Five Indicted In Alleged ID Scam
Suspects Accused Of Helping People Illegally Obtain Documents
POSTED: 4:31 pm EST June 24, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS -- A former [SIZE=4]
Bureau of Motor Vehicles translator[/SIZE], her husband and three others have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of [SIZE=3][COLOR=Red]helping Chinese nationals fraudulently obtain Indiana driver's licenses and identification cards[/COLOR][/SIZE].
Elizabeth Lang, 40, of Greenwood, [SIZE=7]
[COLOR=Red]a native of China,[/COLOR][/SIZE] worked as a translator at numerous BMV branches in central Indiana. She was arrested last November on a charge of forgery and has pleaded not guilty.
Federal investigators said she told them she helped more than 100 people illegally obtain IDs for about $800 each.
"For someone to commit the crimes alleged here is a potential danger to all of us," U.S. Attorney Susan W. Brooks said Thursday in a news release.
Also named in the indictment were Lang's husband, Adam Lang, 41; Xiao Qi Gu, also known as David Gu, 34, of Elmhurst, N.Y.; Yi Fu Cheng, also known as Steve Cheng, 40, and Yang Chengdong, 40, both of Flushing, N.Y.
Charges include conspiracy and unlawful production of identification documents, along with fraud and false use of passports, visas and other immigration documents.
None of those who received the fraudulent identification have any known ties to terrorism, officials said. However, those charged did not know how the documents would be used, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon M. Jackson, who is prosecuting the case for the government.
The indictment alleged that from late 2000 through last November, the Langs acquired fraudulent Chinese driver's licenses and translated them into English so Chinese nationals could obtain either an Indiana driver's license or identification card.
After the BMV imposed tighter restrictions on proving identification and residency, the Langs allegedly acquired fraudulent U.S. visas, foreign passports and immigration records from Gu, Cheng and Yang.
The indictment also alleged that Gu, Cheng and Yang sent Chinese nationals from New York and other states to Indiana to obtain Indiana IDs.
"A driver's license issued in the United States is one of the most valuable government documents produced," Brooks said. "The foundation for our identification system is put at grave risk when fraudulent documents are produced and used."
Elizabeth Lang was named in each of the eight counts and faces up to 90 years in prison, Brooks said.
The Associated Press placed a call seeking comment from Lang's attorney Jeffrey Baldwin Thursday.
The others were charged with fewer counts and face anywhere from 30 to 45 years in prison.
The Langs and Gu, who was arrested in New York on Monday, are to appear before a U.S. magistrate in Indianapolis for an initial hearing on July 12. Cheng is in custody in New York, and Yang is still being sought, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"I am pleased that the BMV can work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the documents we issue in Indiana are secure and are based on verified identities," new BMV Commissioner Mary L. DePrez said.
Four BMV workers are among 27 people who have been charged since late last year in the license scam. DePrez took over the agency on March 1 after former commissioner Gerald Coleman resigned.
[COLOR=Blue]NO photo or mention of her racial Chinese heritage at this site, WETHR, NBC channel 13, in Indianapolis-[/COLOR]
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=1966871&nav=9TaiOAxf
[COLOR=Blue]NO photo or mention of her racial Chinese heritage at this site, the major "Indianapolis Star"-[/COLOR] http://www.indystar.com/articles/7/157446-3817-092.html