PERRY, Ga. — A joint operation between several Central Georgia Sheriff's Offices and state and federal law enforcement departments resulted in seven arrests from the Central Georgia area.
The Perry Police Department released a statement on Tuesday about the joint operation. New York police and Homeland Security were also involved.
Search and arrest warrants were served in multiple counties including Houston, Bibb, Crawford, Fulton, and Dekalb County.
Investigators found hundreds of stolen checks and money orders totaling around $1 million. They are believed to have been taken from USPS Blue Boxes in Bibb and Houston Counties.
In two searched locations authorities said fake driver’s licenses from all 50 states, passport cards, VA benefit cards, social security cards, alien resident cards, and debit cards were being made using stolen information from identity theft victims.
Thousands of identity theft victims have been identified from evidence uncovered during multiple searches at various locations.
A human trafficking victim from Iowa was also found during the investigation in Fulton County.
"Investigators identified and seized high end vehicles, cash, and other assets, from the members of this criminal organization, all with hopes of disrupting and dismantling a criminal organization that has been victimizing residents and businesses all across Georgia," the release says.
One man, 34-year-old Jonathan Baez from Fulton County, was arrested and charged with human trafficking, pimping and racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act. He also had outstanding warrants in New York, where he's from, for parole violation, attempted murder and assault with a firearm.
Along with Baez, a man from Tucker, Georgia and five others from Macon and Warner Robins have been charged with racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act.
These men have been arrested and booked into the Houston County Jail, the release says.
Authorities have active warrants and are still looking for five others, all from Macon, in this investigation.
Please contact Detective Kim Morton at 478-988-2825 or Kimberly.Morton@perry-ga.gov if you have any information.