Two individuals, who were in the U.S. illegally, were arrested after allegedly attempting to use a fake ID at the Newport Revenue Office, according to a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
The spokesperson explained that the pair tried to obtain an Arkansas ID with fraudulent documents. When officials at the revenue office grew suspicious, they contacted the DFA Investigative Division.
DFA investigators, in collaboration with the Newport Police Department, arrested the two individuals on December 27, 2024. They are now facing felony forgery charges for trying to use the false identification.
After their arrests, the two provided false names to the Newport Police, and it was later confirmed they were in the U.S. illegally. Authorities also reported that both individuals were interviewed by an agent from Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
DFA officials stated that the pair remain in custody at the Jackson County Jail while federal charges are pending.
“These arrests serve as a warning to anyone considering fraud at a Revenue Office,” said DFA Secretary Jim Hudson. “State-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards play an important role in public safety, and DFA will not tolerate fraud at any level.”
The spokesperson noted that DFA sees multiple attempts to obtain state identification through fraudulent means each year. In this instance, the individuals involved were in the country illegally and presented a variety of fake documents, including birth certificates and fishing licenses.
DFA also announced that a fraud awareness poster will soon be displayed in all 134 of its revenue offices, and the agency will continue to prosecute anyone caught using a false ID.
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