The Arizona Department of Transportation used its facial recognition training and technology to help nab a Goodyear man in connection with multiple offenses including identity theft to obtain commercial driver’s licenses.
In addition, 41-year-old Jose Casas is accused of using the stolen identities to open a business and purchase a home.
According to ADOT, Mr. Casas visited a Motor Vehicle Division office Dec. 6, 2017 to renew his commercial driver license. However, the system found that his photo closely resembled two others in ADOT’s database.
ADOT detectives with FBI training in facial recognition determined that all three of the photos were of Mr. Casas.
In 2007, Mr. Casas had applied for an Arizona commercial driver license using a forged Illinois commercial driver license under the name of a Texas resident. He then used the stolen identity to open a trucking business, purchase vehicles for the business, and purchase personal vehicles and a house in Goodyear.
Detectives served a search warrant on Feb. 7 at Mr. Casas’ Goodyear residence and arrested him.
He was booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Fourth Avenue Jail on several counts of forgery and fraud schemes as well as mortgage fraud.
After fingerprinting, detectives learned Mr. Casas had an outstanding warrant from 1996 in Illinois for failure to appear on drug charges, including delivery of narcotic drugs and possession of cocaine. He had been booked as a fugitive after the state of Illinois verified the warrant.
Mr. Casas apparently had two other Arizona commercial driver licenses under stolen identities, both of which are currently under medical suspension.
ADOT said this case is one more example of how facial recognition technology used by ADOT’s Office of Inspector General protects Arizonans’ identities and helps prevent fraud involving state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.
ADOT’s Office of the Inspector General investigates fraud involving driver’s license and identification card applications; vehicle sales by licensed and unlicensed dealers; and vehicle titles and registration.
It also assists state, local and federal law enforcement agencies with investigations.
