Operation Open Market

FEDS ARREST 19 IN PROBE OF CYBER-GROUPS SELLING STOLEN FINANCIAL INFORMATION ONLINE

John Holsheimer, convicted in fatal crash that killed Ramona mom Bridget Hale, among those arrested

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2012 (Las Vegas)-- Last week, federal authorities arrested 19 suspects in nine states as part of Operation "Open Market," an investigation into a transnational criminal organization operating mainly out of Las Vegas. According to a press release  from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), crime ring's members bought and sold stolen personal and financial information online, then committed identity theft and counterfeit credit card trafficking.

One San Diegan was among those arrested: John Holsheimer, 53. He is charged with conspiracy, trafficking in and production of false identification documents--including the forged driver's license that he presented to California Highway Patrol the night he crashed head-on into Bridgette Hale of Ramona on Highway 67, killing the young mother. 


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