Arizona Fraudulent Identification Task Force makes two arrests in the shutdown of significant operation

Arizona Department of Public Safety Detectives, as part of AFIT (Arizona Fraudulent Identification Task Force), served a search warrant on June 16, 2009 at 6802 N. 67th Avenue in Glendale following a two-week long investigation. The suspect inside, known as “Belinda”, was in the process of making fraudulent government identification cards and initially refused to answer the door. Forced entry was made. Inside the apartment were three small children who were released to a family member. Upon entry, AFIT seized various manufacturing components which were hidden in various rooms. Among the items seized:

A laptop computer
A scanner/printer
I.D. card printers
Over 500 pieces of blank laminate
200 sheets of card stock used for social security cards
Over 60 completed ID’s which include Arizona, Tennessee, California, and foreign government fraudulent ID’s and $400 in U.S. currency

Suspects: Maria Orozco-Aguirre, 29, Glendale
Esbeuda Bahena Valdez, 26, Glendale

Charges: Manufacturing Fraudulent Identification, Taking the Identity of Another, Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, Forgery, Trafficking in stolen identity and Contributing to the delinquency of a minor