A third person accused of operating a national fake ID ring through online forums and Bitcoin currency pleaded guilty Tuesday.
Sarah Alberts, 35, of Perrysburg, appeared in U.S. District Court on the charges. She admitted to money laundering conspiracy and knowingly possessing with intent to use unlawfully or transfer unlawfully five or more identification documents.
Alberts is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 8. She declined to comment after the hearing.
Judge Jeffrey Helmick instructed Alberts on her rights during the hearing before accepting her plea. When asked how she would plead to one of the counts, she said, “Guilty, your honor.”
Additional counts filed against Alberts, including production of identification documents and transferring an identification document, were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Authorities said arrests early last year targeted a large-scale fake ID ring based in Toledo. It ran through the popular website Reddit and at least in part used Bitcoin currency.
Co-defendants Mark Alex Simon, 35, of the 4700 block of Stengel Avenue, and Aaron Kuns, 35, of the 3700 block of Delawn Drive, previously pleaded guilty to charges in connection to the Toledo-based ring.
Simon admitted he knowingly transferred false identification documents and committed conspiracy to launder money. Kuns pleaded guilty to production of false identification documents and conspiracy to launder money.
Prosecutors said the group created and transferred fake driver licenses and personal identification cards between June, 2013, and February, 2018. Simon sold fake licenses and other identifications cards through Reddit. Customers paid for the fake IDs with Bitcoin, investigators said.
According to court documents, Kuns reportedly said Simon received the orders and sent photos, personal information, and mailing labels to Kuns for processing. Kuns would make the IDs and package them for delivery. Alberts would pick them up from his garage and mail them, court documents show.
Judge Helmick will sentence them Sept. 18. Simon will be required to forfeit $2.8 million in Bitcoin. From Kuns, the government seeks the forfeiture of roughly $10,000 in Bitcoin.
A case is still pending against Benjamin Stalets, 29, of the 2200 block of Parkwood Avenue. All defendants were previously released from jail.
First Published July 2, 2019, 8:21 p.m.
