IVFP Deputies Bust Local Fake I.D. Ring

Isla Vista - November 9th, 2011

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s deputies at the Isla Vista Foot Patrol have arrested several young men suspected of participating in the mass production of false identification cards.

Sheriff’s deputies and detectives with the SBSO Special Investigations Bureau served a search warrant Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at the suspects’ residence in the 6600 block of Sueno Rd. in Isla Vista.

Prior to the service of the search warrant, deputies contacted one of the main suspects of the investigation, Kotarou Maruyama (DOB 4/23/91) as he left the residence. Maruyama was found to be in possession of several fraudulent California driver licenses.

During the service of the search warrant, Sheriff’s personnel located even more fraudulent California driver’s licenses in the residence, as well as the sophisticated equipment (computers, scanners, card presser, credit card reproduction equipment and blank identification cards) used to create the fake i.d.’s.

The search also led to the discovery of cocaine, adderall, marijuana and steroids throughout the residence. Maruyama’s roommates were also present and some were found to be in possession of fraudulent California driver licenses and the above mentioned narcotics.

Maruyama was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $20,000 for forging driver’s licenses (470a PC), counterfeiting seals of California (472 PC), criminal conspiracy (182 PC), possession and sales of fraudulent identification cards, (529.5 (a)/529.5(c) PC), utilize/access computer for purpose f fraud, (502(c)(1) PC), Possess equipment to produce fraudulent identification cards (483.5(f) PC), and possession of cocaine (11350 H&S).

The Sheriff’s Office has forwarded the following complaints to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution:

Yuujirou Marujama (DOB 9/23/92), forging driver’s licenses (470a PC), counterfeiting seals of California (472 PC),  – Counterfeiting seals of California, criminal conspiracy (182 PC),  possession and sales of fraudulent identification cards (529.5 (a)/529.5(c) PC), utilize/access computer for purpose of fraud (502(c)(1) PC), possess equipment to produce equipment to produce fraudulent identification (483.5(f) PC), and  possession of drug paraphernalia (11364 H&S).

Camden Hersherberger (DOB 10/26/91), possession of Adderall (11377 H&S), and possession of fraudulent identification card (25661 B&P).

Anthony Ugas (DOB 4/15/91), possession of steroids (11377 H&S), and possession of fraudulent identification card (25661 B&P).

The three suspects were not booked into jail. Thus, there are no booking photos available. All four suspects are students at Santa Barbara City College.

Due to Homeland Security issues and concerns, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office joins other state, local and federal agencies in vigorously investigating suspects who produce fraudulent identification cards. Any information related to these types of crimes should be forwarded to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org