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Divorce leads Denver Police to fake ID operation

Posted at 10:17 AM, Sep 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-17 12:17:15-04

A Denver woman, angered by her husband's alleged infidelity and threats, got even, by telling cops that he'd been making and selling fake IDs for several years.

Marcelo Romero Pajarito is now facing 60 felony counts of forgery.

Court documents, obtained by 7NEWS, state that investigators found IDs from New Mexico, Colorado and Texas in the couple’s west Denver home.

The names listed on those IDs didn’t match anyone in those state’s systems.

What really piqued police interest were several stacks of blank IDs.  The cards in one of those stacks all contained U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service watermarks.

Next door neighbor Amanda Nava told 7NEWS that the couple argued periodically.

“Her side of the story was that he was cheating on her and he was gone all hours of the night,” Nava said. “I thought it was a regular couple argument kind of thing, but it ended up being more than that.”

The affidavit states that Ana Rosa Valle-Saracay went to police in mid-August and told them that her husband had been making false IDs and insurance information and that he had been selling them to people.

When police asked her why she was informing on her husband, she replied that they had been having marital problems and that he had threated to kill her if she told anyone about his business.

Court documents indicate that police also found a desktop computer, printer and cartridges, laminating machine, trimmer and a plastic bag containing Social Security and ID cards, when they searched the house.

Pajarito was arrested on August 13 and was formally charged August 27.

He posted a $5,000 bond.

Neighbors say he moved out of the house shortly afterwards. 

7NEWS asked immigration officials if ICE had a hold on him or if he’s been deported.  A spokeswoman said they’re checking to see if he’s in their system.

Pajarito's wife filed for divorce on August 14.