PHILADELPHIA -Twenty-two individuals have been charged with using fake identities to obtain Pennsylvania driver’s licenses.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigation was sparked after Eugene Cobbs fled a downed aircraft that was carrying a quarter ton of cocaine. Cobbs allegedly walked away from the wreckage and checked into a motel using a Pennsylvania driver’s license in the name of Marquis T. Munroe.
Corbett said that after an investigation by the Office of Inspector General the case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office. Evidence and testimony regarding the case was presented before a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the charges being filed today.
Corbett noted that the investigation, which is ongoing, has revealed that many individuals obtaining fraudulent Pennsylvania driver’s licenses have extensive and dangerous criminal histories.
“Obtaining a driver’s license not only makes it legal for a person to drive, it serves as their primary form of photo identification,” Corbett said. “A fake ID is a tool of the criminal trade that allows criminal activity to continue without detection by police.”
According to agents, a majority of fraudulent names are the names of minor children of welfare recipients, some of whom may have sold their children’s social security information and name for profit.
“September 11 changed the way we look at personal identification,” Corbett said. “There is much higher scrutiny now and we will continue to arrest those who maliciously obtain Pennsylvania driver’s licenses for the purpose of hiding their true identity.”
Eugene Cobbs a.k.a. Marquis Munroe
Corbett said that Cobbs was the person who ultimately sparked this investigation after he fled a downed aircraft in Wheeling, West Virginia on Dec. 20, 2004. Agents investigating the plane crash recovered over 500 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $24 million from the plane. Cocaine was located in the nose compartment of the plane as well as disguised as wrapped Christmas presents.
Cobbs left the motel before he could be apprehended; he is currently still at large and is known to use several aliases. He has been known to frequent Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Manhattan.
The grand jury found that Eugene Cobbs received a fake driver’s license after supplying fraudulent information in the name of Marquis Tracy Munroe. Munroe was born in 1995 and according to testimony; his social security number and name were stolen and used without permission.
Agents said that Cobbs used a counterfeit Arkansas birth certificate and social security card and a fraudulent letter from the Social Security Administration to acquire his fraudulent license in Munroes’ name.
Steven Byard a.k.a. Tymir Bar
The grand jury found that Steven Byard used the name Tymir Bar and false identifying information to obtain a driver’s license. Byard allegedly used the social security number of a minor child born in 2000.
Corbett said that the child was adopted in 2001 and had no contact with its birth mother since that time. The child’s adoptive mother testified that she did not give permission for anyone to use any of the child’s identifying information.
In March 2005, when Byard was arrested by Philadelphia police in an unrelated incident he produced a driver’s license in the name of Tymir Bar.
Franklyn Allen, a.k.a. Brandon Munroe a.k.a Quadir Presbery
The grand jury found that Franklyn Allen obtained two fraudulent driver’s licenses in the name of Quadir Presbery and Brandon Munroe. Allen allegedly used two stolen social security numbers to obtain the licenses.
Corbett said that one of the numbers was issued to Quadir Presbery, who was born on Nov. 21, 2001 and the other to Brandon Munroe, who was born on Sept. 28, 1991. Brandon Munroe is the brother of Marquis Munroe, the identity previously mentioned as used by Eugene Cobbs.
Agents said that Allen was arrested and upon arrest initially used the name Brandon Munroe.
Linwood Farmer a.k.a Teshan Henderson a.k.a. Kmari Brooks
According to the grand jury, Linwood Farmer used two different fraudulent social security numbers and altered the dates of birth to receive driver’s licenses.
Corbett said that Farmer used the identity of Kmari Brooks and Teshan Henderson, both of whom were infants at the time Farmer used their information.
Corbett said that Farmer is currently wanted by the FBI on numerous theft charges.
Conrad Johnson a.k.a. Khalil Beyah
The grand jury found that Conrad Johnson fraudulently obtained a driver’s license after submitting an application with the name Khalil Beyah, a fraudulent social security number and an altered date of birth.
Agents said that during the course of an arrest in 2005, Philadelphia police officers recovered the license issued in the name of Khalil Beyah bearing Johnson’s photograph. Johnson allegedly told police he purchased the paperwork for the license from an unknown male and used it to take the driver’s examination.
Corbett said that a review of social security records revealed that the social security number allegedly used by Johnson was issued to Khalil Beyah, born October 1986. The infant died two days after birth.
Darrell Peay a.k.a. Yaqin Jackson
The grand jury found that Darrell Peay supplied PennDOT officials with a false social security number and date of birth for a fake driver’s license and obtained a license in the name of Yaqin Jackson.
Corbett said that Peay used the name and social security number of a five-year old boy and altered the birth date.
Christopher R. Johnson a.k.a. Christopher Johnson
According to the grand jury, Christopher Johnson supplied PennDOT officials with his infant son’s social security number, altered the date of birth and subsequently received a fraudulent driver’s license.
Corbett said that Johnson allegedly stole a purse belonging to the mother of the child, which contained her son’s identifying information in it.
Kevin Holloway a.k.a. Jaylen Mitchell a.k.a. Jabree Brown
The grand jury found that Kevin Holloway fraudulently obtained two Pennsylvania driver’s licenses in the names of Jaylen Mitchell and Jabree Brown. Both identities actually belong to infant children in Philadelphia. Specifically, Jaylen Mitchell is the son of Angela Mitchell, who is also being charged as part of this investigation.
Tyrone Jett a.k.a. Tiqueel Collins
According to the charges, Tyrone Jett had a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, which was suspended and replaced by a photo identification card.
Corbett said that about a year after being issued the photo ID card, Jett obtained another Pennsylvania photo identification card in the name of Tiqueel M. Collins. A review of social security records showed that the social security number used for Tiqueel Collins’ ID was not issued to Jett.
Darryle James a.k.a. Jabrell Fussell
The charges state that Darryle James was issued a driver’s license after he submitted paperwork to PennDOT officials in the name of Jabrell Fussell and provided a false social security number.
Corbett said that James had a valid Pennsylvania learner’s permit, which was suspended 25 times.
Agents found that James used a social security number that was issued to a Camden, New Jersey teen.
John Phillips a.k.a. Razul Reddick a.k.a. Sharif Jabbar
The grand jury found that John Phillips obtained two fraudulent driver’s licenses by submitting fraudulent social security numbers for the names Razul Reddick and Shariff Jabbar.
Corbett said that on one occasion Phillips provided a Philadelphia police officer with the name Shariff Jabbar and on another occasion provided New Castle, Delaware police with the name Razul Reddick.
Cassius Broaster a.k.a. Cassius Broaster
The grand jury found that Cassius Broaster received a false driver’s license by supplying PennDOT an altered date of birth and social security number. That driver’s license was most recently reissued to Broaster on July 26, 2003.
The investigation also revealed that Broaster previously obtained a fraudulent Pennsylvania identification card in the name of Steven E. Williams. He allegedly used a fraudulent social security number that had never been issued by the Social Security Administration to obtain the ID card in his name.
Christopher J. Love a.k.a. Christopher Love a.k.a. Christopher Viola a.k.a. Christopher Santini
According to the charges, Christopher J. Love used multiple variations of his name along with false identifying information to obtain fraudulent driver’s licenses.
Corbett said that Love was issued a license in the name of Christopher Santini and Christopher Love.
The criminal complaint states that Love used fabricated social security numbers, which have never been issued by the Social Security Administration in order to fraudulently obtain the licenses.
Christopher B. Stephens a.k.a. David Jason Dean
According to the grand jury, Christopher Stephens used a stolen social security number and the name David Jason Dean to obtain a driver’s license.
Corbett said that Stephens had a valid Pennsylvania identification card, which was most recently reissued in March 2007.
Arrests previously made as part of this investigation
Norman Minnick a.k.a. Mark Walker
The charges state that Norman Minnick fraudulently obtained two Pennsylvania driver’s licenses by supplying false identifying information in the names of Mark Walker and Kevin Wilson.
Corbett said that Minnick was previously arrested in Philadelphia in an unrelated incident using the name Mark Walker.
Minnick was arrest by the Office of Attorney General on May 2, 2007 and his case is listed today before Court of Common Pleas Judge Lewis. It is anticipated that Minnick will plead guilty.
Hussain Abdussamad a.k.a. Isaiah Roman a.k.a. Marvin Wright
The grand jury found that on July 5, 2002, Hussain Abdussamad used the name Marvin Wright, a false date of birth and a false social security number for a Pennsylvania driver’s license.
Corbett said that certified records from the Social Security Administration showed that the social security number Abdussamad used for this license had not been issued to anyone.
Additionally, Abdussamad allegedly obtained another fake driver’s license in 2004 in the name of Isaiah Roman. The social security number he used for this license had been issued on Oct. 22, 2003 to Isaiah Roberto Roman, born on July 22, 2003 in Philadelphia.
Abdussamad was arrested by agents of the Office of Attorney General on July 18, 2007. Abdussamad pled guilty to the charges on Dec. 10, 2007 and is currently scheduled to be sentenced in Dauphin County on Feb. 26, 2008.
Donyale Luna Andrews a.k.a. Siani Hayes a.k.a. Nilyjahwan Thompson a.k.a. Devon James a.k.a. Dahlil Wilkins a.k.a. Joyce Miller
The grand jury found that Donyale Andrews used the identities of five different individuals to obtain fake Pennsylvania photo identification cards. Since 1996 Andrews allegedly received 16 fraudulent driver’s licenses and IDs.
Corbett said that Andrews allegedly used the social security numbers of a 19-year old boy, a 12-year old girl and two other Philadelphia residents without their consent.
Social security records also show that in 2002, Andrews used the social security information for her one-year old son.
Andrews was arrested by the Office of Attorney General on Sep. 12, 2007 and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Dec. 20, 2007 in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
Angela Renee Mitchell a.k.a. Angela Turner
The grand jury found that Angela Mitchell used a fraudulent social security number to obtain a fake driver’s license in the name of Angela Turner.
Corbett said that Mitchell allegedly used the social security number of a 53-year old Mississippi man, who did not authorize its use.
Corbett noted that Mitchell’s minor son’s identification was used by Kevin Holloway, who is also charged as part of this investigation.
Mitchell was arrested by the Office of Attorney General on Sept. 13, 2007. The case is currently listed for trial on Jan. 7, 2008 in Dauphin County.
James Nixon a.k.a. Manny Cole
According to the grand jury, James Nixon supplied false information in the name of Manny Cole to obtain a fraudulent Pennsylvania driver’s license. A review of the Social Security records revealed that the social security number Nixon allegedly used was assigned to another individual.
Nixon was arrested by the Office of Attorney General on Sept. 13, 2007. His case is currently listed for trial on Jan. 7, 2008 in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
Mallery Stevens a.k.a. Abdullah Waheed
The grand jury found that Mallery Stevens supplied false identification information in the name of Abdullah Waheed in order to obtain a fraudulent driver’s license. The social security number used for this license was not issued to Stevens or anyone by the name of Waheed.
Corbett said that Stevens used the name Abdullah Waheed four times when he was arrested in Philadelphia.
Stevens was arrested by the Office of Attorney General on Sept. 17, 2007. The case is currently listed for trail on Jan 8, 2008 in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
Stephen McLaurin a.k.a. Charles McLaurin a.k.a. Marcus Ellison
The grand jury found that Stephen McLaurin applied for an identification card and used the name Charles McLaurin.
Corbett said that McLaurin allegedly used his brother Charles’ social security number and date of birth to secure the fake ID card.
McLaurin was arrested by the Office of Attorney General on Nov. 20, 2007. The case is listed for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 15, 2008 in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
Blair Cobbs a.k.a. Ronald L. Johnson
The grand jury found that Cobbs supplied false information in the name of Ronald Johnson to PennDOT employees for a Pennsylvania driver’s license.
According to PennDOT records, Cobbs’ license was suspended from May 1998 until July 2001 for numerous traffic violations and again in November 2002, during the time Cobbs obtained his fake license.
Corbett noted that Cobbs is known to frequent the Philadelphia and Los Angeles areas and has used several aliases. He currently remains at large.
Corbett thanked the Office of Inspector General, PennDOT and the Social Security Administration for their assistance with the investigation.
“These arrests are just the beginning of a long intensive investigation,” Corbett said. “The investigation is ongoing and we can anticipate more arrests of the same nature in the future.”
The defendants will be prosecuted in Dauphin County by Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo.
A full list of the defendants and the charges against them is below.
— Eugene Cobbs, 36, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Steven Byard, 37, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Franklyn Allen, 35, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Linwood Carlton Farmer, 37, Address Unknown, is charged with two counts each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Conrad S. Johnson, 29, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Darryl Peay, 41, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with public records or information, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities and identity theft.
— Christopher R. Johnson, 26, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with public records or information, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities and identity theft.
— Kevin Holloway, 35, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Tyrone W. Jett, 44, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Darryle S. James, 37, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— John Phillips, 29, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Cassius Broaster, 32, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Christopher J. Love, 34, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of forgery, tampering with public records or information, tampering with records or identification and unsworn falsification to authorities.
— Christopher Stephens, 28, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Norman Minnick, 29, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of tampering with public records or information, forgery, tampering with records or information and unsworn falsification to authorities.
— Hussain Abdussamad, 27, Philadelphia, is charged with two counts each of forgery, tampering with public records or information, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities and one count identity theft.
— Donyale Luna Andrews, 38, Philadelphia, is charged with five counts each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Angela Renee Mitchell, 36, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— James William Nixon, 32, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Mallery Stevens, 49, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records or information and identity theft.
— Stephen McLaurin, Sr., 35, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with public records or information, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities and identity theft.
— Blair Cobbs, 34, Philadelphia, is charged with one count each of forgery, tampering with public records or information, tampering with records or identification, unsworn falsification to authorities and identity theft.