In the US District Court of Guam, Lourdes Fernandez Blas was sentenced to a one-year probation term for creating and selling numerous fraudulent driver licenses from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Charged with fraud activity connected with computers, Lourdes Fernandez Blas pled guilty in April 2019 to utilizing her access to the department of motor vehicles computer to manufacture fraudulent driver licenses for her own benefit.

She appeared with assistant federal public defender Leilani Lujan this morning for her sentencing hearing, it was stated that Blas received a $300 dollar profit for each license. According to the plea agreement, the defendant was employed with the Guam Department of Rev and Tax from September 2006 to November 2015.

As part of her duties, Blas was authorized to access the DRT computer system to create, process and issue driver's licenses under the department's motor vehicle division. Further stated in court documents, between January 2014 and November 2015 Blas participated in an illegal scheme with others to process at least 320 fraudulent driver licenses in return for a profit.

As mentioned in court, Blas does not have any prior criminal history, has complied with the court's release orders, was cooperative with law enforcement since the start and stood ready to testify against co-defendant Lina Palacios.

On behalf of the government Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Leon Guerrero asked for a three year probation term, 30 days of home confinement as a condition of probation and a restitution of 24 thousand dollars.

On the defense, Lujan argued against the restitution amount, finding it should be $1,025 dollars presenting differences between co-defendant Palacios and her client Blas' case.

The court found it "fundamentally unfair" to hold Blas accountable for a restitution higher than the co-defendant, in which she held the matter at bay asking the parties to come to a stipulation on the amount. As for time to be served, Blas made an emotional address to the court.

While holding back tears she stated, that she loved her job having earned her way up seeking a high position at DRT and was devoted to her work but she regretted going over to DMV. And when she was offered the training at DMV by the director, she took the opportunity. Sobbing, Blas said "I shamed my parents, my father. He just died just a few months ago he passed away... *crying* and he died with a broken heart...I'm so sorry for what I have done. The only thing I want to say is your honor I am so sorry. And I am so thankful my children were here for me throughout this whole process."

Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood sentenced Blas to one year probation with no home confinement imposes and no fine ordered.

We should note it was stated in court the co-defendant, Palacios was sentenced to a five month imprisonment term followed by three years of supervised release and to pay a restitution $5,625 dollars for her role in the scheme.