Massive DMV Fraud Uncovered: Eight Arrested for Issuing Fake Licenses in Florida

Bay County, Florida - In a significant crackdown on illegal licensing, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently announced the dismantling of a scheme that enabled undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses unlawfully. The investigation, which began about a month prior to the announcement, led to the arrests of eight individuals linked to the fraudulent operation. Authorities believe that this scheme put both the integrity of Florida’s roads and the safety of its residents at risk.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. According to reports from West Orlando News, two DMV employees were found to be accepting cash payments and issuing driver’s licenses in exchange. This was no small-time racket, as the investigation revealed an unusually high number of licenses being granted, often without the requisite tests typically required for such a privilege.

Extent of the Fraud

Local officials expressed shock at the breadth of the fraud. Sheriff Tommy Ford noted in reports from WJHG that the issues came to light after officers observed suspicious activity at the Bay County Tax Collector’s Office. Two employees, Bancelie Velazco and Demetrius Smith II, not only accepted large sums of cash for issuing licenses but also were responsible for an extraordinarily high number of road tests—295 in just one month by Smith alone. Among those arrested were intermediaries who assisted in connecting hopeful immigrants with the corrupt DMV employees.

Security footage confirmed that many individuals were able to bypass the necessary testing, raising serious safety concerns. Alarmingly, some of the licenses being issued included commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), allowing unqualified individuals to operate large vehicles on Florida highways, posing danger to the community.

Impact and Ongoing Investigation

Uthmeier emphasized the ongoing battle against illegal immigration and corruption, stating that Florida law enforcement is determined to hold those involved accountable. The investigation has revealed that intermediaries, potentially linked to outside organizations like CubaMax, were instrumental in facilitating these fraudulent transactions. As mentioned by Everything Now On, the fallout from these activities reaches far and wide, with individuals traveling from various regions, including Miami, to partake in this illegal operation.

The list of those arrested includes a range of charges such as unlawfully issuing driver’s licenses and official misconduct. Velazco faces nine counts of issuing unlawful driver’s licenses, while Smith faces eight counts. Other individuals involved also received various counts related to their participation in this scam, showing that this was not merely the act of a couple of rogue employees but a broader network of exploitation.

Bay County Tax Collector Chuck Perdue expressed his anger over the actions of the former employees and has indicated a commitment to implementing improvements to prevent future occurrences of such fraud. As the investigation continues, local authorities anticipate further arrests and additional charges against those implicated in the scheme.

The implications of this operation extend beyond the immediate arrests, sparking discussions on immigration policies and public safety. Uthmeier has linked the activities to broader immigration issues, warning that this fraud undermines national security and public safety, highlighting just how interconnected these complex issues can be.