Police: Fake ID ring funded plastic surgery for strippers

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — While inmates sat in jail, police say suspects used their identity to live a lavish lifestyle.

Three of four suspects are in jail after police say they ran an elaborate fake ID ring.

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Police exclusively tell Channel 2's Tony Thomas about the cars and plastic surgeries the ring members bought.

Vanessa Williams gave detectives a call to turn in the large scale fake ID and financial crimes ring in which she took part.

Detective Nermin Cultarevic told Channel 2's Tony Thomas that Williams explained in detail how Ericka Williams, Sean Blow and Edrell Smith were all living in the Sugarloaf area home, buying IDs from prison inmates and creating other fictitious ones to obtain lines of credit.

They then allegedly bought high-end vehicles and other items.

Police said they found dozens of ID's in the suspects' home when they raided it.

“How much money we talking about?” Thomas asked. “I estimated and this is a very conservative number of at least $100,000 dollars,” Cultarevic answered.

Police say the group was also selling the lines of credit to prostitutes and strippers who used them for breast and other implant surgeries.

“It's just another level of money laundering of its own kind,” Cultarevic said.

Records show Ericka Williams and Sean Blow have extensive criminal records. Thomas was at the same house in 2012 when the sister and brother were arrested.

As for Vanessa, police say the apartment we found her in was also leased using a fake name and ID.
Police say Ericka Williams pleaded guilty to those 2012 charges and was on probation when she was busted on this case.

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