Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford announced the arrest of eight individuals linked to a driver’s license fraud scheme that allegedly targeted undocumented immigrants. This operation was uncovered through a joint investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It revealed that two Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employees were issuing licenses in exchange for cash payments.
According to investigators, the two DMV employees—Bancelie Velazco and Demetrius Smith II—were responsible for issuing an unusually high number of licenses. Surveillance footage indicated that many recipients bypassed legally required tests. Authorities reported that individuals traveled from across Florida to the Bay County office to obtain these fraudulent licenses.
The operation involved a network of intermediaries who acted as brokers, connecting clients with the DMV employees. Payments were made both in person and through digital payment apps.
The eight individuals arrested so far face a variety of charges, including the unlawful issuance of driver’s licenses, official misconduct, and unlawful possession of a driver’s license. In addition to Velazco and Smith, those arrested include Niurbis Rosales, Leonardo Gutierrez, Hung Du, Isbrieta Parra, Zoila Gonzalez-Pena, and Mirna Fernandez.
Attorney General Uthmeier highlighted the state’s position on immigration-related crimes, stating, “Florida’s Sheriffs are on the front lines of our state’s fight against illegal immigration. My warning to any illegal alien coming to Florida to commit further crimes is this: we will find you, hold you accountable, and send you back to where you came from.”
Sheriff Ford expressed gratitude to partnering agencies, stating, “We appreciate our partners who keep our state safe.”
The investigation is still active, and officials indicate that additional arrests and charges may follow.
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