Document fraud charges dropped to allow deportation

A Mexican native was charged earlier this month with identification fraud after the vehicle he was traveling in was pulled over for speeding on I-90. However, as Cristian Velasco-Gomez was found to be in the United States unlawfully, the charges have been dropped to facilitate his deportation.

On October 18 at around 12:50 p.m., a Wyoming Highway Patrol officer was observing traffic near milepost 183 on I-90 when he observed a black sedan approaching at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. Radar indicated the vehicle was traveling at 88 mph in a 70 mph zone.

After stopping the vehicle, the trooper made contact with the driver and asked for his identification and traffic documents. He allegedly noticed “odd” items inside the vehicle, such as ten packs of cigarettes in the glove box, multiple energy drinks and a “substantial” amount of gum.

The vehicle had been rented in Florida on October 16. The driver was asked to accompany the trooper to his patrol car, where he was asked several basic questions that allegedly caused the trooper to become suspicious of further criminal activity.

The trooper requested a drug detection K-9 to be sent to the location, which was provided by the Crook County Sheriff’s Office. At around 1:30 p.m., a deputy and dog arrived and began a sweep of the vehicle, notifying the trooper of a positive alert.

The remaining passengers were removed from the vehicle and secured in separate patrol vehicles. A search was then conducted by two troopers and the deputy, allegedly finding several items of interest in luggage that belonged to one of the passengers: Cristian Velasco-Gomez.

The items of interest allegedly included a plastic bag containing eight to 12 inches of U.S. currency inside a cowboy boot, a box containing suspected marijuana residue, a small bundle of suspected marijuana and what appeared to be a counterfeit U.S. Social Security card and Permanent Resident ID card.

The vehicle was towed to the WYDOT shop where, pursuant to a search warrant signed by Judge Matthew Castano, the vehicle was subjected to a comprehensive search. No further contraband was discovered.

A search of Velasco-Gomez was also performed as he entered the Crook County Detention Center, which allegedly turned up a purple container containing what appeared to be marijuana and a short glass pipe containing suspected marijuana residue.

During transport, Velasco-Gomez was interviewed by one of the troopers and allegedly admitted to being in the U.S. unlawfully. He also allegedly acknowledged that his identification documents were fictitious.

Velasco-Gomez was charged with fraudulent use of a government record, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of ten years’ incarceration, a $10,000 fine or both, and a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana in an amount less than three ounces.

However, a motion came before the court last week to dismiss the charges as the Department of Homeland Security had determined probable cause exists that Velasco-Gomez is a “removable alien” either because voluntary statements he made indicate he lacks immigration status or his status can be removed under U.S. immigration law.

Born in Ixtlahuaca, Mexico, Velasco-Gomez claimed in court documents to be currently living in Florida.