Faked Death Certificates Could Lead to Prison for Couple

A couple from Santa Ana was arrested on Monday for faking a death and collecting benefits.  The husband a 51 year old truck driver went under the name of Lucio Rodriguez for about twenty years while living with his wife Rosa Carrasco.  According to the Orange County Register the Carrascos agreed in 2004 to travel to Mexico and buy a death certificate.  Officials were paid and the couple received a death certificate for Lucio Rodriguez.  The husband started using his real name Santiago Carrasco when he returned to the U.S.  The death certificate obtained in Mexico stated that Lucio Rodriguez had died of a heart attack.  In September of 2004 Mrs. Carrasco started receiving death benefits, collecting about $400,000 to $500,000.  Both are charged with two grand theft felonies with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime exceeding $100,000 and property loss of over $200,000.  There is a no-bail U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement hold on both individuals as well and a $500,000 bail.  If convicted they could get 7 years and eight months in prison.