Texarkana, TX – In a major crackdown on organized crime, two New Yorkers have been sentenced to federal prison for an illegal counterfeit passport operation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Laurie Ann Davis, 47, of New York, New York, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for her role in the operation, which brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. Her accomplice, 37-year-old Natasha Danielle Jones, of Queens, New York, received a 20-month prison sentence for her involvement.
The two women were arrested in March 2023 and charged with conspiracy to commit document servicing and document servicing, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(1). The charges stem from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The court heard testimony that Davis and Jones operated a sophisticated counterfeiting ring, producing high-quality fake passports and selling them to customers for tens of thousands of dollars each. The operation brought in a total of $750,000 in profits, which was laundered through various channels.
U.S. Attorney Combs praised the work of the investigators, saying, ‘This case is a prime example of the ongoing threat posed by organized crime groups operating in our country. We will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these operations, bringing those responsible to justice.’
The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III on February 27, 2023. Davis and Jones will serve their time in a federal prison, with Davis being ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and Jones ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Both women have been ordered to forfeit $250,000 in ill-gotten gains.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating organized crime and terrorism. The operation has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of numerous high-ranking members of major crime groups across the country.
Related Federal Cases
- Mario Argueta-Chun, Trafficking in Counterfeit Identification Docum… · Texas
- David Nichols, Counterfeit Airbag Trafficking, New York 2024 · Texas
- US Justice Department, Drug and Arms Trafficking, Washington D.C., … · Tennessee
- David Allen Vickers, Sex Trafficking of Minors, Buffalo NY, 2023 · Texas
- Izell Mayes, Possession of Counterfeit Credit Cards, La, 2014 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source â†â€â€ÂÂ
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