Attorney General James Uthmeier Supports Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford in Takedown of Illegal Alien Driver’s License Scheme

Lynn Haven, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier joined Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford to announce the takedown of an illegal alien driver's license scheme, with eight individuals arrested so far. A joint BCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation uncovered two compromised DMV employees offering illegal aliens driver's licenses in exchange for cash. 

"Florida's Sheriffs are on the front lines of our state's fight against illegal immigration, and Sheriff Ford is rooting out the corruption they bring into our state," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "My warning to any illegal alien coming to Florida to commit further crimes: we are going to find you, hold you accountable, and then send you back to where you came from."

"We appreciate our partners that keep our state safe," said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.

Over the course of the investigation, authorities learned that two DMV employees were issuing an unusually large number of driver's licenses. When investigators reviewed the in-house video at the DMV, they confirmed that the individuals receiving the licenses bypassed the required tests to obtain a license legally. These individuals traveled across Florida to Bay County to receive their driver's licenses.

The investigation also uncovered that the individuals coming to the compromised DMV employees to obtain licenses were doing so through a third party operating as intermediaries and were paying Velazco and Smith either in person at the DMV or online through a cash app.

Those arrested include Bancelie Velazco, Demetrius Smith, II, Niurbis Rosales, Leonardo Gutierrez, Hung Du, Isbrieta Parra, Zoila Gonzalez-Pena, and Mirna Fernandez. Charges range from DMV employee issue unlawful driver's license, official misconduct, and unlawful possession of a driver's license.

The investigation continues, and additional charges for the defendants are pending.

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