Posted on 08/04/2005 8:53:40 PM PDT by csvset
By TIM MCGLONE,
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 5, 2005
Last updated: 11:01 PM
NORFOLK — A federal judge Thursday ordered a Central American man jailed on charges of producing phony immigration documents after learning that he had been convicted of manslaughter 15 years ago but had never been deported.
Margarito Diaz is one of two men charged in an investigation of mass-produced phony identifications used by illegal immigrants to remain in the country and obtain employment.
Federal authorities arrested Diaz this week after executing a search warrant at his residence in Accomac in Accomack County . Another suspect, Perfecto Perez, was arrested after a similar raid at his home in Parksley, also in Accomack County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Moore said in court that Diaz “admitted he was involved in the large-scale production of documents.”
The phony documents, Moore added, would have put illegal immigrants “on the fast track to U.S. citizenship.”
Diaz has remained in this country despite a deportation order in 1990 following his conviction for involuntary manslaughter and failing to stop and provide aid at an accident, according to Moore and state court records. Moore said Diaz was involved in an alcohol-related fatal crash.
Records in Northampton County Circuit Court show that Diaz was convicted after being tried in 1989. Moore said Diaz served one year and 10 months in prison. Further details of the fatal crash were unavailable.
Court records show that Diaz is from Guatemala and that he has had an application for asylum pending at an immigration court in Northern Virginia. Immigration officials did not return calls for more information .
Magistrate James E. Bradberry ordered Diaz and Perez jailed without bond. But Bradberry had harsh words for immigration officials, questioning why Diaz was allowed to remain in the country. Immigration “has done absolutely nothing in the last 10 years,” Bradberry said.
“It’s only 9/11 that all of a sudden has gotten them off their butts,” he added, referring to the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI and the Virginia State Police conducted the raids.
At Diaz’s home, agents found equipment, including a laminating machine, and paperwork capable of producing 500 fake identifications, including Social Security cards and permanent resident cards, Moore said. They also found $30,000 and a gun, he said.
Undercover agents in October had purchased two pairs of the documents from Diaz and in June purchased two pairs from Perez, according to court records. Each pair cost $120. Authorities said they were operating independently of each other.
Authorities would not comment on how many fake documents may have been sold or whether any were used in South Hampton Roads.
There have been numerous cases in recent years of illegal immigrants caught with phony work papers at area shipyards and military bases.
Diaz said in court papers that he worked in construction, earning $1,600 a month. He said he pays $375 a month for rent and supports three children.
Perez said in court records that he works for a Perdue chicken plant earning $1,800 a month and that he supports two children.
Reach Tim McGlone at (757) 446-2343 or tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com.
Don't deport him now, he'll just come back. It's time to start building Central and South America style jails, with all the comforts these Illegal are used to.
Gee, the man's life is ruined. /s
Perez said in court records that he works for a Perdue chicken plant earning $1,800 a month and that he supports two children.
I have to wonder where his familia is. Here in the USA? Round them up and kick them out as well.
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