May 19, 2005

MANCHESTER MAN SENTENCED FOR SELLING BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS

CONCORD, NH—Jose Turbi Matos was sentenced yesterday to 4 months in prison for selling birth certificates and social security cards in a case investigated by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Matos, 32, of Manchester, NH was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 3, 2004 on four counts of selling citizenship papers and social security cards. From April through Sept. of 2004, Matos sold sets of genuine Puerto Rican birth certificates and social security cards for $800 and $1,300. These documents had been legitimately issued to United States citizens but Matos acquired them and sold the documents to other individuals. Matos pleaded guilty to all four counts on Feb. 14, 2005.

“ICE places a high priority on investigating document fraud and identity fraud cases,” said Robin M. Avers, special agent-in-charge of ICE in New England. “ICE is committed to shutting down enterprises that seek to compromise the security of our nation, and is committed to restoring integrity to the immigration system.”

“The black market sale of identification documents is a common thread in immigration crimes, identity theft, fraud, and a host of other serious offenses,” said United States Attorney Tom Colantuono. “It enables crooks to commit crimes or to evade arrest and prosecution for crimes they have already committed. Cutting off the supply of these documents and punishing the traffickers is key in preventing these crimes and protecting the safety and security of New Hampshire.”

Matos is a citizen of the Dominican Republic. He was granted permanent resident alien status in the United States in 1999. As a result of this conviction, Matos is subject to deportation proceedings before the United States Immigration Court.

This case was investigated by ICE under the Department of Homeland Security and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark S. Zuckerman.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.