An Indianapolis man has been handed a sentence of three years probation following his guilty plea for roles in manufacturing and distributing fake IDs. James Watt, 26, engaged in a scheme where he produced over 30,000 fake identification documents and engaged in money laundering activities from March 2019 to February 2023, as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced.
Details from court records reveal that Watt operated a public website where customers could order sham driver’s licenses, with transactions mainly conducted in Bitcoin. Officials stated that Watt's operation enabled him to accumulate more than 14 Bitcoin over the four-year period, which, as of January 16, equated to upwards of $1.3 million. Despite the prominence of underage customers seeking the means to circumvent age restrictions, the prevalence of adult buyers indicates a potential for more sinister applications, from financial fraud to other criminal pursuits.
The investigation into Watt's activities was a joint effort by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service and the IRS Criminal Investigation team. "Watt nearly became a millionaire simply through the manufacturing and mailing of thousands of fake IDs, essentially running a one-man BMV," Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress stated, according to Department of Justice. Childress' remarks, underscore the critical nature of Watt's counterfeit enterprise.
Acting Inspector in Charge Felicia George also highlighted the collective investigative efforts, praising the inspectors and agents involved in uncovering the large-scale operation. "Thanks to our collaborative investigative efforts with IRS-CI, we were able to identify and take down part of a large-scale operation, while also seizing the proceeds of it from our area of responsibility," George expressed in a statement obtained by Justice Department, while thanking the legal and investigative team for their dedication to the case. The sentence for James Watt was decided by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted the case, received thanks from Childress for his efforts in securing the sentence against Watt. As fraudulent activities continue to pose a threat to legal and financial institutions, the work of both investigatory teams and prosecutors remains a critical component in maintaining the integrity of identification processes and the safety of communities.
