PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced today that Laboriel Serrano Fernandez, aka Ivan Serrano, 42, a Mexican national who entered the U.S. illegally and has been residing in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with four counts of transferring unlawful identification documents.The defendant made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth L. Toplin.The indictment alleges that on multiple dates earlier this year, Serrano knowingly transferred false identification documents that appeared to be issued by and under the authority of the United States, knowing that such documents were produced without lawful authority.“Selling fake identification documents is a serious crime that threatens our national security and puts all of us at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “My office will prosecute to the fullest extent anyone putting these fraudulent IDs into circulation.” “The production and distribution of counterfeit government documents is a serious criminal activity that compromises our national security,” said HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel. “HSI remains committed to leveraging our investigative expertise to identify and dismantle the criminal networks that profit from this fraud.”If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years in prison.This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eileen Castilla Geiger and Erin Fountaine.The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice