Police nail fake I.D. maker

By: Chelsea Prince

Posted: 11/8/07

Syracuse University freshman Michael Ju was arrested Tuesday by the Syracuse Police Department for allegedly making and selling forged state of Maine driver's licenses at his apartment on the 400 block of Comstock Avenue, city police told The Post-Standard.

Police started investigations into the information studies major's operation in response to a tip, Sgt. Tom Connellan told the paper.

Ju now faces two felony counts for forgery and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Ju was charging as much as $120 for fake Maine licenses that "appeared to be very authentic," Connellan said.

Police confiscated computer equipment, laminating equipment and other items used to forge licenses, as well as a large-screen plasma television and an Xbox that Ju purchased with his profits, Connellan said.

Police also found out that Ju operated a tutorial Web site that shows how to make fake IDs, Connellan said.

-compiled by Chelsea prince, asst. news editor