WASHINGTON D.C February 7, 2026 – Mexican couple has been sentenced following a federal investigation into a large-scale operation producing and distributing thousands of counterfeit identification documents across the United States.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Karina Garcia-Salazar and Jorge Augusto Prieto-Gamboa were convicted for their roles in the nationwide fake ID scheme. The case stemmed from a probe led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Dallas.
During the execution of a search warrant at the couple’s residence in Tulsa, Oklahoma, authorities seized significant evidence, including:
– 67 completed fake identification documents
– More than 2,000 digital identification files
– $32,000 in cash
– Electronic devices
– Client ledgers documenting sales
– Additional materials indicating nationwide distribution of the fraudulent IDs
Investigators noted that at least one of the counterfeit IDs produced by the pair was sold to an individual who was later convicted of smuggling and trafficking narcotics into the United States, highlighting the potential public safety and security risks associated with such document fraud schemes.
The announcement, shared by the official @ICEgov account on February 7, 2026, has drawn significant attention online, with many users praising the work of ICE and HSI while others called for stronger border security measures and passage of related legislation such as the SAVE Act.
This case underscores ongoing federal efforts to combat identity fraud, which can facilitate various criminal activities ranging from employment fraud to more serious offenses involving narcotics and border security violations.
No further details on the specific sentences received by Garcia-Salazar and Prieto-Gamboa were included in the public announcement. The investigation continues to demonstrate collaboration between ICE and other federal partners in addressing document fraud networks operating within the U.S.
About The Author
