Ray Roberto Carrion-Susana, False ID Scheme, Wilkes Barre PA, 2019

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ray Roberto Carrion-Susana, 36, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, is facing federal charges after allegedly running a small-scale ID fabrication operation. The Secret Service investigation, revealed today, accuses Carrion-Susana of producing counterfeit driver’s licenses, swapping his own photo for the names of real individuals.

The indictment, handed down in August 2020 but only now surfacing publicly, details two counts against Carrion-Susana. He’s charged with “Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents – Possession of Five or More False Identification Documents with Intent to Use Unlawfully” and “Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents – Possession of Document-Making Implement and Authentication Feature with Intent to Produce False Identification Document.” The alleged scheme unfolded in April 2019 in Preston County, West Virginia, though the motive remains unclear.

Federal investigators claim Carrion-Susana didn’t just possess the fake IDs, but actively created them. Authorities seized a computer loaded with document-making software, along with multiple seals and holograms—the tools of the trade for forging official identification. This suggests a level of sophistication beyond simply altering existing documents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia is prosecuting the case.

If convicted on the first count, Carrion-Susana could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The second charge carries a significantly stiffer penalty: a maximum of 15 years behind bars and another $250,000 fine. However, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Danae DeMasi-Lemon emphasized that any sentence will be determined by federal sentencing guidelines, considering the severity of the crimes and Carrion-Susana’s criminal history, if any.

The U.S. Secret Service led the investigation, highlighting the agency’s ongoing commitment to combating identity fraud, even in its smaller iterations. While the scope of Carrion-Susana’s operation is currently unknown, any attempt to create false identification documents is a serious federal offense. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the initial court appearance.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Carrion-Susana is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold. The question remains: what was the purpose of these fraudulent IDs, and who benefited from them?

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