3 convicted in murder conspiracy, fake ID ring

The operators of a Chicago fake ID market and a contract killer who worked with them have been found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy to murder, money laundering and harboring aliens.

A federal jury on Monday found Julio and Manuel Leija-Sanchez and Gerardo Salazar-Rodriguez guilty. They face in life prison when sentenced.

Leija-Sanchez brothers were accused of paying people to patrol the parking lot of a Mexican-American neighborhood to find those willing to pay $200 for a phony green card, driver’s license or social security card. Authorities say the business was worth millions of dollars because the neighborhood is home to thousands of illegal immigrants.

An Illinois law allowing the issuance of state drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants will be in effect when the men are sentenced later this year.