A man from Waterbury, Connecticut, Cesar Agusto Martin Reis, has admitted guilt in a conspiracy to unlawfully produce and possess identification documents with the intent to transfer them. The charges include obtaining driver’s licenses for individuals not eligible for them, primarily illegal aliens. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman has set the sentencing date for September 10, 2025.
Reis was charged in December 2024 alongside four others. From November 2020 through September 2024, he and his co-conspirators allegedly procured driver’s licenses for illegal alien customers residing in states that did not allow such individuals to obtain licenses. Before July 2023, Massachusetts prohibited illegal aliens from acquiring driver’s licenses, while New York allowed it starting in 2019.
The conspirators reportedly charged around $1,400 per customer to fraudulently secure these licenses. They used various methods to bypass requirements like written permit tests and driver’s education courses mandated by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV). These included using pre-taken photographs of customers during online tests and creating fake driver’s education certificates.
Reis and his associates also allegedly transported Massachusetts-based customers to NY DMV locations with fraudulent documents claiming New York residency. This misrepresentation led the NY DMV to issue driving permits and licenses which were then mailed to addresses controlled by the defendants.
Similar tactics were allegedly employed in Massachusetts after July 2023 to obtain licenses for out-of-state residents using forged foreign passports as proof of identity.
The group is accused of applying for over 1,000 licenses and successfully obtaining more than 600, collecting substantial sums of money in the process.
The charge of conspiracy carries a potential penalty of up to five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Possession with intent to use or transfer unlawful identification documents could result in up to 15 years imprisonment.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced this development along with Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations and Kelly Larco-Ward from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistance came from multiple law enforcement agencies including the NY DMV Division of Field Investigation and several police departments across Boston and Connecticut.
It is important to note that all details contained within charging documents are allegations at this stage; remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
