Clinton men arrested on immigration charges (Radio Iowa)

Clinton men arrested on immigration charges

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 9:31 AM
by Dave Vickers, KROS, Clinton

Two Clinton men have been arrested on allegations they violated their immigration status. The complaints, filed Wednesday, are based on the investigation led by the F-B-I and several other federal agencies and Clinton police. The cases are being heard in the U.S. District Court for Southern Iowa.

The documents state the evidence was gathered over a five-year term utilizing various investigative tools, such as subpoenas, mail covers, surveillance, source development and interviews to gain information relating to money laundering, alien smuggling, immigration and visa fraud, bank and tax fraud.

In one case, Vineet Maheshwari is accused of "fraud and misuse of immigration documents." The paper trail cited in the court affidavits date to 1996. Fazal Mehmood, also known as Fazal Awan, is accused of the misuse of a social security number and other immigration violations. Both suspects work for computer firms in Clinton. Both have hearings on February 13th and are being detained until that time.