Federal ID Probe in Michigan - College Students Arrested

[stopracism]

Two University of Michigan Students, one Michigan State University student nabbed in federal probe into fake IDs
February 25, 2010

http://www.annarbor.com/news/two-u-o...into-fake-ids/

Two University of Michigan students and a Michigan State University student have been arrested in connection with a federal probe into fake IDs, court documents say.

The three were arrested after investigators say one of them signed for a package delivered to an Ann Arbor apartment Wednesday that contained 48 "fraudulent identification cards," a federal criminal complaint says.

Charged with illegally possessing or transferring false identification documents are: 20-year-old Barak D. Leibovitz, 18-year-old Zachary J. Firestone, both of West Bloomfield, and 19-year-old Samuel D. Hamburger of Royal Oak.

Hamburger and Leibovitz attend U-M, while Firestone attends Michigan State, according to online university directories.

The three made their first appearance this afternoon in federal court in Detroit and have been released on unsecured bonds, said Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents declined to discuss details of the case, citing an ongoing investigation.

According to the complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers in Memphis, Tenn., seized a FedEx package on Saturday that was sent from Toronto and destined for Ann Arbor. The package was turned over to ICE agents in Detroit, then delivered Wednesday to an apartment in the 400 block of East Washington Street in Ann Arbor, the complaint says.

Hamburger signed for it, the complaint says, admitting he knew it contained at least one fake ID. Hamburger also told investigators Leibovitz informed him he “was expecting a package,” according to the complaint.

Leibovitz told agents 27 of the cards were his, the complaint alleges, and the rest belonged to Firestone, who was on his way from Michigan State to pick them up.

Firestone gave investigators written statements about his “involvement with the sale" of fake IDs, telling investigators Leibovitz introduced him to the activity, the complaint says.

The three are scheduled to return to court April 12.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.

[Rim05]

The three made their first appearance this afternoon in federal court in Detroit and have been released on unsecured bonds.

Do you think they will show up?