Passing as someone who is 21 years old is a challenge for college students across the nation. Many college students have resorted to fake IDs, allowing them to enter bars and nightclubs, and permitting an underage individual to purchase alcohol.

Recently, an Iona College student was arrested after police in Colonie made an extensive crackdown on fake ID rings. An 18-year-old Temple University and 19-year-old Iona College student were both taken into custody. The two students used fake out-of-state driver’s licenses showing that they were over 21 years old and able to purchase alcohol legally.

Both students were charged with four counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, a felony and conspiracy.  Customs and Border Protection uncovered the ring after discovering a package that was sent from Ohio to Loudonville, NY.  The package contained 46 phony licenses from three states including Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Maryland.

The two students were both involved in organizing the scheme, involving 23 people with each person receiving two ID’s priced at $75.00 each.  The involvement was extensive in that both students took pictures, acquired signatures and gathered other false information to be put on the counterfeit license. Police have recovered most of the IDs. The recipients of the fake IDs are being used as witnesses in the still-unfolding case.

The student from Temple was arrested on Jan. 24 and the student from Iona was arrested on Jan. 26. After both students turned themselves in to police with their attorneys, they were arraigned and released on $5,000 bail. No court date has been set.

Both the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and New York State Department of Motor Vehicles are now involved in the investigation as well. 

Iona’s Campus Safety and Security and Residential Life offices were uninformed of the investigation. Vice Provost for Student Development Charles Carlson said that he was unable to discuss specific violations of the Code of Conduct.

Fake IDs are becoming more prevalent as the situation becomes less about alcohol, but more about status. Most Iona students admitted to not having a fake ID, possibly in fear of being caught.  In a poll conducted by the Associated Press, younger teens between the ages of 12 and 14 were more likely to believe that using a fake ID was a serious offense than those between the ages of 15 and 19.

Most students now have the ability to go online and order fake IDs straight to their door.  A website called “The ID Shop” makes it quick and simple to find the right ID for you. State ID’s can cost upwards of about $100 with an additional $30 charge for a hologram. The website reads: “In general, our customers indicate that The ID Shop offers quality products and reliable services. Rarely do we encounter complaints or concerns. Our commitment to quality customer service exceeds normal expectations, and we are ready and willing to hear your ideas, comments and feedback.”

New technology has made it less likely for someone to catch a student with a fake ID; however, students must still be aware of the consequences they will face if caught. According to the New York Times, the maximum sentence for an underage student caught with a fake ID is one year in state prison.  Being caught with a fake ID will also give someone a criminal record and limit their choices of choosing a career in the future.

Iona College remains vigilant in sustaining a safe environment across its campus by ensuring that all students follow the Code of Conduct, and most importantly keep in mind Iona’s Mission Statement at all times.

 

The facts about fake IDs:

What is a fake ID?

• Reproducing, manufacturing, selling or offering for sale any identification document that has a fictitious name or other false information are all illegal interactions involving fake or altered IDs.

• Fake IDs can include — but are not limited to — drivers’ licenses, identification cards, birth certificates, social security cards and employee identification cards. Dealing in false identification documents is a felony.

 

What are the repercussions of using or having a fake ID?

 • A minor may be charged for merely possessing an ID other than his/her own.

• It is a crime to borrow a friend’s or relative’s ID and use it to purchase alcoholic beverage and the person who allowed you to use his or her ID is also guilty of a crime.

• A minor who presents a false or altered ID to attempt to purchase an alcoholic beverage can be charged with possession of a false or altered ID and also charged with attempting to purchase alcoholic beverage.

 

 

For more information, please see: http://www.lawrenceks.org/legal/alcohol