Savannah, GA (March 21, 2011): One man is in custody following a joint operation between various agencies.
In February 2011 the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partnered after receiving information a Hispanic male was possibly selling both illegal narcotics and fraudulent identification in the Savannah-Chatham area.
In the weeks that followed, CNT/ICE working in an undercover capacity purchased fraudulent U.S. identification cards from the Hispanic male in exchange for U.S. currency. As the operation developed, it was determined the Hispanic male was selling a large amount of fraudulent identification cards to persons living within the Savannah-Chatham area. Agents were unable to establish any evidence to support the Hispanic male was involved in illegal narcotics.
On March 15, 2011, CNT/ICE with the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) arrested 34-year-old Juan Pablo Lara Gomez of Savannah. Gomez was arrested following a traffic stop at the request of CNT where agents seized multiple fraudulent identification cards. Gomez was charged with Driving Under the Influence among other traffic related charges by GSP. Gomez was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center where ICE placed a hold pending an investigation into his citizenship status.
CNT charged Gomez with 2 counts of Sale of Fraudulent Identification, 2 counts of Use of a Telecommunication Device, and Possession of Fraudulent Identification cards.