DPS arrests 7 in El Paso for fraudulent inspection stickers
EL PASO, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested seven people last week for allegedly issuing fraudulent inspection stickers.
David Chapa, 40; Carlos A. Terrerazas, 23; Antonio Alvarado, 46; Ernesto Quinones, 44; Oliver Lawrence Ortiz, 41; David Aguayo-Saldana, 31; and Cynthia Chapa, 39, all from El Paso, were arrested and charged with tampering with a government document, a third-degree felony charge.
Several motor vehicle stations identified during the investigation had conducted thousands of fraudulent motor vehicle inspections over a two-year period. Individuals at these stations were charging $40 per fraudulent inspection while the current standard state rate is $18.50.
Emission analyzers used at the stations were seized and have an estimated value of $65,000. Documents detailing the transactions and $2,100 in cash were also seized.
DPS Special Agents, DPS Compliance Enforcement Service and Homeland Security Investigations were involved in the investigation.
The seven were arrested and booked into the El Paso County Jail.
Anyone with information about an individual or business conducting fraudulent motor vehicle inspections is asked to contact their local DPS office.
KTBC reported this story from Austin, Texas.