The Public Ministry has argued in a recent motion that the eight individuals arrested should remain in custody until trial. Prosecutor Daniel J. Olinghouse highlighted concerns regarding the defendants’ flight risk, stating, “There are no conditions or combination of conditions that can reasonably assure their appearance as required, as well as the safety of any other person and the community, based on a preponderance of the evidence.”
Olinghouse emphasized the necessity of detention due to a serious risk of flight, citing substantial evidence related to a large identity theft and fraud scheme allegedly perpetrated by the defendants over several years throughout Puerto Rico.
The federal prosecution’s motion included images of counterfeit driver’s licenses seized during the investigation, revealing the scale of the fraud. Evidence suggests that the case has been active for at least the past three years, with significant findings including a stash of over 200 licenses found by local authorities in January 2022. These licenses bore the image of one accused individual, Luis Pagán Torres, but contained the names and personal information of various other individuals.
In a significant development two years later, in October 2024, authorities seized 352 forged driver’s licenses linked to another co-defendant, Enrique Falcón López, and 25 additional licenses with the image of Tomás Bermúdez Monroig. These licenses too were fraudulently issued under the identities of different individuals.
The prosecution’s motion also referenced intercepted messages suggesting that co-defendant Francisco Martínez Mendoza might have manufactured the counterfeit licenses using personal electronic devices purchased online. Despite law enforcement interventions, the fraudulent scheme reportedly continued, with stolen identities being used for significant purchases.
For example, on May 10, a license with Pagán’s image was used to buy a $16,000 bicycle from a local store, and on May 28, Falcón applied for a credit card at the same location and subsequently purchased a bike worth $14,495.
The motion raised concerns about the involvement of Iván González Costa, who is the brother of a local senator. He was recorded picking up goods from a fraudulent purchase, and there are ongoing investigations into the extent of his participation in the scheme.
Despite the ongoing efforts to crack down on this widespread fraud, it remains unclear how many counterfeit licenses were produced or how much personal information the defendants might have access to if released. Prosecutors noted the significant risk posed by the defendants, citing their ability to defraud and potentially escape using fraudulent identities.
The eight accused individuals are Enrique K. Falcón López, Luis Pagán Torres, Francisco Martínez Mendoza, Dennis H. Ditran, Tomás Bermúdez Monroig, Jesús M. Cruz Martínez, and Karelys Olmo Rodríguez. A grand jury has issued charges related to postal, electronic, and bank fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft.
This case underscores not only the serious impact of identity fraud but also the commitment of law enforcement to address these crimes and protect the community.