A Connecticut man pleaded guilty to conspiring to fraudulently obtain driver’s licenses for ineligible applicants, primarily undocumented immigrants.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, Cesar Agusto Martin Reis, 28, of Waterbury, admitted to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully produce and possess identification documents with intent to transfer, as well as one count of possession with intent to use or transfer unlawful identification documents. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled the sentencing for September 10, 2025. In December 2024, the court accused Reis and four co-conspirators.
From November 2020 to September 2024, Reis and his accused co-conspirators hatched a conspiracy to get driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants who lived in states where they were not qualified for one. Prior to July 2023, Massachusetts prevented undocumented immigrants from acquiring driver’s licenses, but New York allowed it beginning in 2019. The group fraudulently secured New York licenses for non-residents, including Massachusetts residents, as well as Massachusetts licenses for undocumented immigrants from other states beginning in July 2023. They charged about $1,400 for each customer.
In New York, driver’s license candidates had to pass a written permit test, complete driver education, and submit confirmation of identity and domicile. To avoid the permit test, Reis and his co-conspirators reportedly utilized images of customers to make it look like they were completing the test, which the conspirators completed online. They also fabricated driver’s education certificates from New York driving schools, using falsified signatures. To verify residency, they presented consumers with fake documents claiming New York residency, drove them from Massachusetts to New York DMV facilities, and arranged for permits and licenses to be mailed to New York addresses they controlled. In addition, they organized and transported consumers to New York for driving tests.
The business allegedly used counterfeit foreign passports as identification for customers applying for licenses in Massachusetts. Overall, they falsely applied for licenses for over 1,000 consumers, obtained licenses for over 600, and made hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The conspiracy charge might result in up to five years in jail, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. A $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to 15 years in prison are the possible outcomes of the possession charge. Sentencing will be based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and related statutes.
The case was announced by US Attorney Leah B. Foley, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, and Inspector in Charge Kelly Larco-Ward of the US Postal Inspection Service. The New York DMV Division of Field Investigation, the Boston, Danbury, and Waterbury Police Departments, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, and the New York State Inspector General’s Office all provided assistance. Brendan O’Shea, Assistant US Attorney for the Worcester Branch Office, is prosecuting.
The remaining suspects face unverified claims and are assumed innocent until proven guilty in court.