SHERMAN, Texas — Two New York women have been sentenced to federal prison for operating a counterfeit passport scheme uncovered during a traffic stop in North Texas, officials said.
Ciera Julieth Blas, 32, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on April 7, 2026, after pleading guilty to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents. Kelly Josek, 41, of New York City, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison in January 2026.
According to court records, the case began when Flower Mound Police conducted a traffic stop involving a vehicle driven by Blas, with Josek as a passenger. During the stop, officers discovered seven U.S. passport identification cards along with bank cards matching the names on the documents.
The investigation was later taken over by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Authorities determined the two women used personal identifying information from more than 80 individuals, along with passport-style photos of multiple people, to create counterfeit identification cards.
U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs said the case underscores the importance of routine police work.
“In this case, a routine traffic stop was anything but routine,” Combs said. “Counterfeit passport cards and other identifying documents enable all types of crime from fraud to terrorism.”
Officials said the sentencing reflects the seriousness of document fraud involving government-issued identification.
The case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service, the Flower Mound Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr.
