Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Homeland Security Hold (The Telluride Watch)

Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Homeland Security Hold

by Marta Tarbell
Nov 12, 2008

TELLURIDE – A routine traffic stop on Hwy. 145 near Telluride for a cracked windshield led to three arrests, one escalating into a Homeland Security Joint Terrorism Task Force hold for Ubaldo Bencoma Saenz, of Juarez, Mex.

San Miguel County sheriff's deputies arrested Rafael Toledo-Cardenas and Jesus M. Gonzales, of Montrose, as well as Saenz, on Nov. 7, on charges of False Reporting and Felony Forgery.

Saenz, deported from the U.S. in 1995 for human smuggling, told officers he was getting a degree in electrical engineering and was an "expert" at wiring bombs.

“It was a very bizarre comment to make to officers,” Sheriff Bill Masters said this week, and “we’re bound these days to make sure to check that out properly.

“State law requires us now to give that information immediately to ICE,” Masters added, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Despite numerous forged documents in the three men’s possession, Masters said his department’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System identified the three suspects. Their multiple forged documents, he added, were top-drawer, and “would pass most employers’ scrutiny,” he said. “Everything looked good,” but a subsequent check revealed each document “had the same bar code on it.”

Gonzales was also wanted by Colorado State Patrol for failing to appear in court.