Raquel Molina, Forging an Official Certificate, Florida 2013

In a shocking case of food export corruption, Raquel Molina, 55, of Miami, Florida, has been found guilty of forging an official certificate issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS-IES).

Molina, an employee of a Miami, Florida food supply company, caused the export of a container of food to French Polynesia, Tahiti, which included ice cream, an animal product, milk. However, she fraudulently obtained a Health Certificate by faxing a forged document bearing the signature of a U.S. Export/Import Veterinary Medical Officer.

This egregious act was committed on May 22, 2009, when Molina faxed the fraudulent Health Certificate to French Polynesia, Tahiti. Later that same day, she filled out and signed another form, using a false signature, under the title of Dairy Grader, bearing the seal of the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Inspection Service.

On July 17, 2013, Molina waived a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report and was simultaneously sentenced to a $500 fine by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. This sentence marked the end of a long and arduous investigation led by the USDA-APHIS-IES.

The prosecution of Molina was carried out by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman O. Hemming, III. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of food exportation processes.

According to the allegations, Molina’s actions had the potential to compromise the health and safety of consumers in French Polynesia, Tahiti. Her guilty plea and subsequent sentence demonstrate the severity with which such crimes will be prosecuted.

The USDA-APHIS-IES has commended the investigative efforts of its team in bringing Molina to justice. This case highlights the need for vigilance and cooperation between government agencies and the food industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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