RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Mexican national has pleaded guilty in Virginia to charges related to what the government calls a violent, multistate fraudulent document ring.
Jose Rafael Murcia-Garcia entered his guilty plea Monday before a U.S. magistrate judge in Richmond. He faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine of $750,000, followed by deportation upon completion of his prison term.
Murcia-Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in racketeering and conspiracy to launder money.
The government says the 34-year-old Murcia-Garcia is linked to a bogus document ring that operated prior to 2008 through late 2010, with cells in Richmond, Hampton Roads and northern Virginia, plus numerous other states. The documents included counterfeit resident alien and Social Security cards.
Prosecutors say 34 members of the ring have been convicted.
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