YONGDE Li, also known as “Ivan,” admitted to his involvement in an ID fraud case in federal court on July 11, 2023.
Represented by attorney Janet King, Li waived the reading of the indictment and of the information, and pled guilty to counts 1 and 2 of the information charging him with conspiracy to unlawfully produce an identification document, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI found that the defendant was fully competent to enter a knowing and voluntary plea and accepted his guilty plea.
But she said she has concerns about his noncompliance with the pretrial conditions of his release.
Judge Manglona told Li that if he would like to maintain his liberty, he must adhere to the terms of his release.
The judge then vacated the jury trial schedule and ordered the plea agreement to be unsealed.
Without objection from the parties, the defendant remained released and was ordered to abide by the previously imposed terms and conditions of release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Flores Jr. appeared for the federal government while Seong “Sean” Bin Lee served as Li’s interpreter.
Li is the co-defendant of former Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director Juana Cabrera Leon Guerrero.
Recently, Leon Guerrero admitted to her involvement in the production of fake CNMI driver’s licenses, and pled guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully produce an identification document.
Magistrate Judge Heather Kennedy accepted her guilty plea and ordered the defendant to remain released and to abide by the previously imposed release terms and conditions.
According to the prosecution, on or about Jan. 1, 2020 through on or about Dec. 20, 2022, Leon Guerrero knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with Li, fellow employees of the BMV, residents of the CNMI without lawful immigration status, and others, to commit an offense against the United States: specifically, to knowingly and without lawful authority produce an identification document — namely, a CNMI driver’s license. The prohibited production was in or affected interstate or foreign commerce, the prosecution added.
On or about Jan. 1, 2020 through on or about Dec. 20, 2022, on 50 occasions, Leon Guerrero knowingly permitted Li, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China without lawful immigration status in the United States but resident of the CNMI, to bring other citizens of the PRC and of other nationalities without lawful immigration status in the U.S. to the BMV, where those foreign citizens were subsequently issued fraudulent CNMI driver’s licenses.
Li arrived in the CNMI from the PRC on March 27, 2012, and his legal immigration status expired on March 26, 2013.
According to the prosecution, Li was well known in the Chinese community of the CNMI as a “street broker” who could assist foreign citizens without lawful immigration status acquire a fraudulent driver’s license.
Li’s fee for a new license was $1,500 to $1,700; for license renewal he charged $300 to $400, the prosecution said.
Pursuant to CNMI law 9 CMC § 2202(c), BMV is authorized to charge a person $50 to obtain a Commonwealth driver’s license.
Leon Guerrero was aware when Li facilitated these illicit transactions, and she directed five members of the staff at the BMV to assist Li with fraudulent distribution of CNMI driver’s licenses to foreign citizens without lawful immigration status, the prosecution said.
Leon Guerrero accepted payments from Li and others, through cash payments upwards of $500, the prosecution said, adding that Leon Guerrero and five other members of the BMV staff were also routinely treated to meals bought and paid for by Li.
Li and Leon Guerrero will be sentenced on Nov. 17, 2023, at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m., respectively.
