25 Jun Alleged drug dealer was able to get a Real ID license under someone else’s name
The sometimes onerous requirements needed to get a driver’s license compliant with the strict federal Real ID Act didn’t stop an alleged drug dealer from obtaining one from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles under the identity of someone living in Puerto Rico.Jose Vittini-Arias, charged today in Salem District Court with fentanyl trafficking, drug distribution and identity crimes, had a Real ID-compliant driver’s license under the name of Jonathan Almando Roman Vazquez, according to court records. Saugus Police Officer James Scott has been identifying so-called imposters for years. But Vittini-Arias’ case is even more troubling to police because his fraudulent license is Real ID compliant, which means it is supposed to be one of the most secure forms of identification.”This is supposed to be a more secure means of identification in order to get onto a plane or into federal buildings,” Scott told 5 Investigates’ Kathy Curran.5 Investigates has been covering the ties between the drug trade and identity fraud in Massachusetts for years, finding that drug dealers, child molesters and accused murderers have obtained driver’s licenses from the Massachusetts RMV under assumed identities, which are often the identities of U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico. To Scott, the connection between heroin trafficking and identity fraud is clear.”There’s a reason there’s a heroin epidemic here in New England, and it all starts with driver’s licenses,” Scott said.It’s an issue we made Gov. Charlie Baker aware of years ago, but cases of imposters surface on a regular basis. Despite the use of facial recognition, state and federal checks and a $62 million dollar upgrade to the RMV’s system for Real ID compliance, people still slip through the cracks.”He shouldn’t have actually have gotten it, based on the checks and the requirements for getting them that are already in place. Somebody made a mistake,” Baker said.”But he was in Massachusetts for months using that license before he was caught?” Curran asked.”His license was suspended when people figured out he shouldn’t have had a Real ID,” Baker replied.Police said that, when they arrested the accused drug dealer, they found almost a half-pound of fentanyl, and more than $13,000 in cash. He had the Massachusetts license in the identity of a man from Puerto Rico and a Dominican passport under a different name.”Do you think there should be an audit of all of the licenses in the RMV’s database to weed out these imposters?” Curran asked Baker.”The registry regularly does audits on people who get driver’s licenses. They review licenses all the time,” Baker said.”So you’re satisfied with the way things are going?” Curran asked.”I’m not satisfied with this particular case, but I’m satisfied the registry has a program to do these types of reviews on a regular basis,” he said.5 Investigates has found multiple cases of imposters receiving benefits illegally and voting illegally.It took the RMV nine months to figure out the license Vittini-Arias had was fraudulent. There is legislation calling for an independent audit of all of the licenses in the RMV’s database Scott has taught dozens of police officers how to identity imposters.”These stolen identities are making it easy for the drug cartel to hide their employees and drive around pretending to be a U.S. citizen using a stolen identity and trafficking heroin, in addition to stealing benefits,” Scott said.
The sometimes onerous requirements needed to get a driver’s license compliant with the strict federal Real ID Act didn’t stop an alleged drug dealer from obtaining one from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles under the identity of someone living in Puerto Rico.
Jose Vittini-Arias, charged today in Salem District Court with fentanyl trafficking, drug distribution and identity crimes, had a Real ID-compliant driver’s license under the name of Jonathan Almando Roman Vazquez, according to court records.
Saugus Police Officer James Scott has been identifying so-called imposters for years.
But Vittini-Arias’ case is even more troubling to police because his fraudulent license is Real ID compliant, which means it is supposed to be one of the most secure forms of identification.
“This is supposed to be a more secure means of identification in order to get onto a plane or into federal buildings,” Scott told 5 Investigates’ Kathy Curran.
5 Investigates has been covering the ties between the drug trade and identity fraud in Massachusetts for years, finding that drug dealers, child molesters and accused murderers have obtained driver’s licenses from the Massachusetts RMV under assumed identities, which are often the identities of U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico.
To Scott, the connection between heroin trafficking and identity fraud is clear.
“There’s a reason there’s a heroin epidemic here in New England, and it all starts with driver’s licenses,” Scott said.
It’s an issue we made Gov. Charlie Baker aware of years ago, but cases of imposters surface on a regular basis. Despite the use of facial recognition, state and federal checks and a $62 million dollar upgrade to the RMV’s system for Real ID compliance, people still slip through the cracks.
“He shouldn’t have actually have gotten it, based on the checks and the requirements for getting them that are already in place. Somebody made a mistake,” Baker said.
“But he was in Massachusetts for months using that license before he was caught?” Curran asked.
“His license was suspended when people figured out he shouldn’t have had a Real ID,” Baker replied.
Police said that, when they arrested the accused drug dealer, they found almost a half-pound of fentanyl, and more than $13,000 in cash. He had the Massachusetts license in the identity of a man from Puerto Rico and a Dominican passport under a different name.
“Do you think there should be an audit of all of the licenses in the RMV’s database to weed out these imposters?” Curran asked Baker.
“The registry regularly does audits on people who get driver’s licenses. They review licenses all the time,” Baker said.
“So you’re satisfied with the way things are going?” Curran asked.
“I’m not satisfied with this particular case, but I’m satisfied the registry has a program to do these types of reviews on a regular basis,” he said.
5 Investigates has found multiple cases of imposters receiving benefits illegally and voting illegally.
It took the RMV nine months to figure out the license Vittini-Arias had was fraudulent. There is legislation calling for an independent audit of all of the licenses in the RMV’s database
Scott has taught dozens of police officers how to identity imposters.
“These stolen identities are making it easy for the drug cartel to hide their employees and drive around pretending to be a U.S. citizen using a stolen identity and trafficking heroin, in addition to stealing benefits,” Scott said.
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