Mundelein man facing federal charges in fake ID case

A Mundelein man has been charged in a three-count federal indictment with making fake ID cards, authorities announced Wednesday.

Humberto Manriquez-Vazquez, 35, is charged with possession of equipment to manufacture identity documents, production of a fraudulent identity document and making a false statement on a U.S. passport application.

The indictment was filed Tuesday in U.S. federal court in Chicago.

Manriquez-Vazquez, of 42 S. Shaddle Ave., Apt. 214, was arrested March 11 after he sold an undercover Mundelein police officer a fake driver's license for $90, authorities said.

A subsequent search of his apartment turned up more than 50 fake driver's licenses, Social Security cards and other documents, police said.

Manriquez-Vazquez used a computer and specialized equipment to produce ID cards that could have passed as legitimate, police said.

Manriquez-Vazquez is a Mexican citizen who police said used a fake passport to repeatedly travel to and from his home country and the United States.

The case against Manriquez-Vazquez began March 10 when police found fake IDs on a different local resident during a traffic stop, authorities said.

The driver told police where he got the cards, and investigators set up the meeting with Manriquez-Vazquez.

Manriquez-Vazquez was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials after his arrest, and that agency took over the investigation.

"ICE places a high priority on investigating identity fraud and document fraud cases," spokeswoman Gail Montenegro said. "We remain vigilant, and we will continue to strengthen our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to maintain the integrity of our immigration system."