The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced another raid on a local business with suspected employees using fraudulent identities to enable them to work. The arrests happened at a candle making company, and resulted in 65 arrests total, 23 of which were felony identity theft charges.

As noted previously, identity theft and criminal impersonation are frequently charged against undocumented immigrants who are using fraudulent identities to be eligible to work in Arizona and around the US. It will be interesting to learn why the many of these people were charged with the more serious felony of identity theft, instead of criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor. Typically the difference is the perceived intent, and what the person intended to do with the stolen social security numbers.

Identity theft and carries a maximum penalty of 2 1/2 years in jail under Arizona law. If found guilty, the people charged who are not legal US residents will very likely be deported.

While these laws clearly do apply in illegal immigration cases, it is a debatable point as to whether this form of law enforcement is a rational answer to the larger problems of immigration. It is a federal problem that should be addressed on a national level, rather than on a piecemeal basis around Arizona criminal prosecutions.

—

If you are charged with fraud, identity theft, or related criminal charges in Arizona, please contact our attorneys for a case evaluation and free legal consultation.

Workers at a Tuscon restaurant were sentenced to time served in jail time for criminal impersonation. They are also in the process of being deported for using fraudulent social security cards to secure their employment.

There were at least 11 employees at the Panda Express that were using social security cards not associated with their legal names and identities, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Criminal impersonation can be a felony class 6 misdemeanor class 1 charge under Arizona law ARS 13-2006 Chapter 72 431R.

Criminal impersonation, identity theft, aggravated taking the identity of another, and related charges can be very complicated under Arizona criminal law. If you are charged with a criminal fraud, or related offense in Arizona, please contact our defense attorneys for a free consultation. We’ll be happy to discuss your case with you, and work through possible legal defenses and options to fight the charges and avoid the most serious outcomes.