Austin resident sentenced for forgery likely faces deportation

Published 7:04 am Tuesday, October 6, 2009

An Austin man was sentenced for felony forgery Monday and likely faces deportation.

Benjamin Martinez Vega, 21, received a 366-day stayed prison term but could first be deported by federal officials.

Martinez Vega was found to be in possession of fraudulent identification during a traffic stop on Sept. 6.

Email newsletter signup

According to a court complaint, Vega was pulled over for speeding and running a stop sign on the 1100 block of 10th Avenue Northwest.

An Austin police officer asked for identification and smelled alcohol on Vega’s breath.

Vega provided a Minnesota ID in the name “Daniel Cisneros.”

He also registered a 0.21 blood-alcohol reading and was arrested.

While detaining Vega, authorities learned he was using fraudulent identification.

Vega admitted that he bought a Social Security card in Texas, which he used to get his Minnesota ID as well as employment.

He said he had been working at Quality Pork Processors for six years.