Rafael Joaquin Beltre-Beltre, 35, Guilty of Identity Trafficking
A Dominican national pleaded guilty to his leading role in trafficking the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents. Rafael Joaquin Beltre-Beltre, 35, formerly of Caguas, Puerto Rico, was charged with conspiracy to commit identification fraud, conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain, and international money laundering.
Beltre-Beltre, who operated as a supplier in the Savarona area of Caguas, Puerto Rico, admitted to being a leader and organizer in the conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to commit identification fraud, 10 years for conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain, and 20 years for international money laundering.
According to court documents, individuals located in the Savarona area obtained Puerto Rican identities and corresponding identity documents, which were then sold to customers in various cities throughout the United States. The conspirators used coded telephone calls, text messages, money transfer services, and express mail to complete their illicit transactions.
As part of his plea agreement, Beltre-Beltre agreed to forfeit $422,793 in illegal proceeds and deportation after serving his sentence. To date, a total of 53 individuals have been charged for their roles in the identity trafficking scheme.
Beltre-Beltre’s involvement in the scheme was revealed when a superseding indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico on March 22, 2012. The indictment alleged that identity brokers solicited customers and sold Social Security cards and corresponding Puerto Rico birth certificates for prices ranging from $700 to $2,500 per set.
Another defendant involved in the scheme, Alma Yesenia Garcia-Ramirez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain and agreed to forfeit $35,900 in illegal proceeds. Beltre-Beltre’s sentencing is scheduled to take place in the District of Puerto Rico before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. Lopez.
RELATED: Deported Dominican Floods NH with Meth, Faces Decades
RELATED: Crypto Cash & Cocaine: DR-PR Drug Ring Busted
Related Federal Cases
- Dominican National Wilkin Pena Soto Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft · Massachusetts
- Dominican National Rijo-Richiez Sentenced for Narcotics, Gun Smuggling · Puerto Rico
- Dominican National Jhonny Pimentel Aybar Sentenced in Boston Fraud · Massachusetts
- Dominican Man Pleads Guilty to ID Theft and Drug Dealing in Boston · Massachusetts
- Romanian Man Extradited for Aggravated Identity Theft Ring · Puerto Rico
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
