Facial-recognition technology that scanned more than 19 million photographs in the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission database revealed more than 600 potential criminal cases, officials announced Tuesday.
Operation Facial Scrub, which includes 38 criminal prosecutions, included the charging of five residents in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties, according to results announced by Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and Motor Vehicle Commission Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez.
Of the 669 cases referred by the MVC to the Division of Criminal Justice, 60 involved commercial driver’s licenses. Each case involved an individual who obtained a license or licenses using a false name or names, according to the announcement.
The five from South Jersey were indicted on charges of using personal identifying information of another person, a second-degree offense, and tampering with public records, a third-degree charge. They are
* Luis Vazquez, 47, of Galloway Township.
* Edwin Muniz, 46, of Vineland.
* Angel Santiago, 55, of Millville
* Nestor Seda, 50, of Wildwood
* Kirk Johnson, 49, of Vineland.
The second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine.
Statewide, the 38 defendants include five sex offenders and 29 people who obtained fraudulent licenses after their real licenses were suspended. Of those 29, 22 had been charged with driving under the influenece, including 11 with three or more DUI offenses.
Contact Anjalee Khemlani:
609-272-7247
Follow Anjalee Khemlani on Twitter @AnjKhem
