Indictments for making bogus IDs, SS cards, birth certificates

A federal grand jury yesterday charged a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation driver's-license examiner with using his position to obtain cash payments in connection with a scheme to issue bogus identification cards.

Authorities also charged the official, Roy Davila, 49, of Lycoming Street near O, in Juniata, with making phony IDs and aggravated identity theft.

The alleged crimes took place on Aug. 19, authorities said. Davila, an examiner in Delaware County, was arrested Aug. 24 and is free on bail.

PennDOT spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick said Davila has been suspended without pay, pending an investigation. He said the state agency had cooperated with investigators, adding: "PennDOT has zero tolerance for this type of behavior among its employees."

Davila's brother, Felix, 35, of Howland Street near Pike, was charged with lying to federal agents about his role in his brother's alleged criminal activity.

Authorities said Felix Davila "concealed and covered up" the fact that he had received the payments from individuals on behalf of his brother.

The charging document said Felix Davila told federal agents that he had received cash payments only from customers of an electronics store where he was employed. (Felix Davila has not been arrested, authorities said.)

A separate indictment said Rafael de la Rosa Duran, 40, also of Philadelphia, sold social-security cards and birth certificates between April and July 2010.

Duran, who's in federal custody, is charged with identity fraud, selling social security cards and aggravated identity theft.

Yesterday's indictments are part of a long-term investigation of corruption at PennDOT and ofthe use of bogus documents to get driver's licenses and IDs. The investigation has resulted in more than 25 arrests, including four PennDOT employees, the feds said.

Two former driver's-license examiners, Harold Palmer and Alexander Steele, have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. Anita Levier, a former PennDOT driver's-license examiner's assistant, was sentenced to three years' probation in March 2009.