Trooper Stops Mobile ID Lab in Warren County

Tuesday, December 09, 2008 | 05:12am

NASHVILLE --- A Warren County man is charged with manufacturing illegal identification cards after his vehicle was stopped for a registration violation Monday in McMinnville.

At approximately 9 a.m., Monday, December 8, 2008, Trooper Gary Myers observed a Ford Escort east bound on Sparta Street, visibly advertising identification cards that could be made in ten minutes. The Escort’s vehicle did not have a commercial license plate, known as an H-1 tag, required for vehicles used in a commercial enterprise. Upon stopping the driver for the violation, Trooper Myers observed a portable computer in the front seat and a card printer for producing plastic IDs in the rear seat. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, Troopers recovered several fake Tennessee and Florida IDs.

The driver, Louis Correa, was taken into custody and booked into the Warren County Jail on charges of Manufacturing Government Documents, Suspended Drivers License, Possession of more than one Drivers License, and Registration Law (furtherance of a business not displaying a commercial tag). In a statement, Mr. Correa acknowledged making and selling at least 300 of the fraudulent IDs.

Agents with the THP Criminal Investigation Division are conducting an on-going investigation into the fraudulent identification cards and possible federal violations. The ID cards were very close to authentic and might easily fool a financial or business operation.

The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.

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