Fake ID scam leads UAPD to two campus residents
University police arrested two UA students on suspicion of fraud after an anonymous tip busted up a suspected fake-ID manufacturing ring in a campus dorm.
Police yesterday arrested Michelle Ratte, a 20-year-old resident of Maricopa Hall, 1031 E. North Campus Dr. Ratte remained in Pima County Jail last night on an $1,100 bond.
Ratte and Tovah A. Thomasino, also a Maricopa resident, were apprehended on suspicion of fraud after allegedly garnering $1,500 by distributing fake IDs.
"It's always good when we catch people making IDs because it stops a lot from being distributed," said UAPD Sgt. Rolf Averill.
An anonymous tip prompted police to have two student officers tape-record a conversation with Thomasino, in which she promised officers a fake California driver's license, police reports stated.
She allegedly told the officers that they could get California driver's licenses with valid information except for a forged date of birth.
Thomasino, 19, allegedly said the IDs cost $100 a card - with a $30 replacement fee if the cards got lost, confiscated or damaged, reports stated.
After going to Thomasino's dorm room on Saturday, police also arrested Kenneth Fleming, 26, and Bryan Thompson, 20, both of Prescott, in connection with the ID manufacturing, reports stated.
Fleming and Thomasino were in the UA student's dorm room when officers arrived and allowed them to search the room.
Police found a digital camera, samples of fictitious California driver's licenses and $1,500 in cash, reports stated.
Thomasino told officers that she was allowing Fleming and Thompson to photograph customers out of her dorm room so she would get a deal on an ID.
Ratte, who lived across the hall from Thomasino, introduced her neighbor to Fleming and Thompson, police reports stated.
Officers traced Fleming's phone number, obtained from Thomasino, to University Inn, 950 N. Stone Ave.
Police obtained a search warrant and went to Fleming's motel room where they encountered Thompson.
Police reports stated that the motel room contained two laptop computers, a scanner, a laminator and other paraphernalia used to allegedly manufacture fake IDs.
"Due to sophisticated computer technology, it is easier to make fictitious IDs," Averill said.
The four were taken to Pima County Jail where Thomasino, Fleming and Thompson were released yesterday afternoon on bond. Jail officials refused to disclose the bond amount.
UAPD officers are continuing their investigation, Averill said.
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