Schuyler man to face prison, deportation for falsifying documents

OMAHA, Neb. -- A Schuyler man will face prison time and deportation for selling fraudulent identification documents.

According to U.S. Attorney Steven Russell, 26-year-old Werner Monterroso-Monterroso, originally from Guatemala, was sentenced to 21 months in prison on Wednesday. He was also sentenced to three years of post-release supervision, though he is expected to be deported by immigration authorities after completing his prison sentence.

On April 22, 2022, investigators made a purchase of fraudulent documents, including a Social Security card, California identification card, and a Texas birth certificate, in exchange for $1,200.

Investigators made a second purchase of fraudulent documents on June 8, 2022, and received a Nebraska identification card, a Social Security card, and a Texas birth certificate in exchange for $1,200. The Social Security cards were confirmed to have valid numbers and names but were counterfeit.

Following the purchases, investigators obtained a warrant to search Monterroso-Monterroso’s residence in Schuyler. The warrant was executed on August 24, 2022, yielding 87 additional counterfeit documents, many of which appeared to have been issued by or under the authority of the United States.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Unit.