UGA students busted for making fake IDs in dorm
Most college dorms barely have enough room for two beds and two desks. It’s hard to imagine having enough room to run a business.
But three University of Georgia students apparently found a way. The trio is facing dozens of felony charges for allegedly producing fake identification cards to sell to underage students.
Following a tip from another roommate, investigators found several phony IDs, a laminating machine and other materials in a room in the East Campus Village. One student was apparently making the IDs and his two friends helped sell them.
“I think at this age, you never think you’re going to get caught,” UGA police Chief Jimmy Williamson told Channel 2 Action News.
But they did get caught, and this ring is believed to be small in comparison to a larger one currently under investigation.
Are fake IDs a part of college, or should university officials continue to crack down on dorm businesses like this?
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73 comments Add your comment
DB
September 13th, 2012
9:48 am
Well, some punishment is in order — fake ID’s are illegal, and they knew it. They just didn’t think they would ever get caught. Oops. It’s hard to differentiate “scale of operations” between a half-assed fake shop in a dorm, and professionals who fake passports and other significant documents — where do you draw the line?
The problem would all go away — the need for constant alcohol patrols, etc., etc. if they simply lowered the drinking age back to18 for beer and wine. Obviously, the law isn’tworking. I’m sick and tired of living through some sort of weird 21st century Prohibition where kids are arrested and have records for simply drinking a beer. Ironically, if 18 year olds are in the service and serving their counry, they CAN get a beer on base — so basically, even the U.S. Government thinks it’s a stupid law, too.
Blog readers support UGA students busted for making fake IDs » chaingangelementary.com
September 13th, 2012
9:55 am
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Crime Time blog has a post about some UGA students who were busted for making fake IDs for underage drinkers. [...]
Chuck
September 13th, 2012
9:56 am
It is a shame the way people ignore the law when talking about these people. If they can make a buck by breaking the law small time maybe they will think they can make more in the big time. Don’t know about the felony conviction but support their arrest.
Blog readers support UGA students busted for making fake IDs » Georgia Colleges
September 13th, 2012
9:57 am
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Crime Time blog has a post about some UGA students who were busted for making fake IDs for underage drinkers. [...]
DLink
September 13th, 2012
10:06 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_drinking_age
Trolls Bane
September 13th, 2012
10:21 am
Our august representatives in the Georgia general assembly voted to make this offense a felony and the legislation was signed into law by the guvenor of the state. As a part of the social contract, we all agree to abide by the laws as they are decided by our leaders. If we choose not to submit and comply with the law, we pay the consequences … namely a felony record, no college degree, and jail time.
lexi
September 13th, 2012
10:24 am
The 21 year drinking age threshhold was set by the folks in DC who threatened to withhold highway funds from any state that did not raise the legal age to that minimum.
Bars have a huge incentive to refrain from selling to minors-they can be liable if they sell to someone they suspect or ought to suspect is drunk, and, even though teens believe otherwise, most cannot hold their liquor and become intoxicated at lower levels of alcohol than others. They also are less experienced drivers and too stubborn to understand that inexperience + alcohol kills.
The charge is a felony because fake id’s enable bad people to hide– terrorists, residents not legally here, fugitives and other undesirables.
Bill
September 13th, 2012
10:28 am
Enter your comments here
UGA Alumnus
September 13th, 2012
10:29 am
East Campus is an upper classman dorm. Each unit features multiple bedrooms and a common area. They are more like an apartment than a dorm. I believe they even have some semblance of a kitchen. Had they been caught in Creswell, the whole two desks and two beds joke might be valid.
Bill
September 13th, 2012
10:30 am
The 18 year-old drinking age is a disgrace-it’s making felons out of kids–and making loads of students pot smokers–a well known fact among UGA cops by the way.