Another arrest made in probe of illegal immigrant activity

Local News

May 28, 2008

By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer The Commonwealth Journal Wed May 28, 2008, 08:21 PM EDT

Another individual was arrested Wednesday in connection with a month-and-a-half long investigation that revealed numerous immigrants who were found to be using counterfeit identity cards to gain employment in Somerset.

According to Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Officer Duffy Sutton, Elmer Escalante, 24, of Science Hill, was arrested at his home Wednesday after vehicle enforcement officers served a warrant to him.

Sutton said they confirmed Escalante was the person wanted for theft of identity, and he was arrested and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center.

Thirteen other individuals have been indicted in U.S. District Court in London for knowingly using false green cards to gain employment in the United States.

The indictment alleged that in January 2006, all 13 of the individuals used counterfeit alien registration cards to gain employment at a local business.

That indictment stemmed from an investigation undertaken by Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement that began on March 4, when Sutton conducted a traffic stop and discovered the individual, who was driving without a license, had several documents in the vehicle that led him to question whether the individual was employed in the country legally.

The investigation led to nine individuals being arrested on Tuesday, May 6, at Eagle Hardwood in Science Hill.

Sutton said the investigation by vehicle enforcement is continuing, and that warrants have been issued for several other individuals suspected to be using counterfeit alien identification cards.

“If the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department or Somerset Police Department or a state trooper happens to stop one of these people, there will be a warrant on file for them,” Sutton said.

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Another arrest made in probe of illegal immigrant activity

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