A citizen of Guatemala pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in the St Joseph identity fraud scheme.

30-year-old Luis Adalberto Felipe-Lopez pleaded guilty Thursday.

He was unlawfully in the country at the time he participated in the conspiracy in 2009 through 2012.  He admitted that he transported illegal aliens between St. Joseph and North Carolina.

The government contends that Felipe-Lopez is a leader or manager of the conspiracy.  

It is estimated that more than 3,500 licenses were issued to illegal aliens by the Department of Revenue license office in St. Joseph.  The state licenses could then be used by the illegal aliens to remain unlawfully in the United States.

Felipe-Lopez is among 11 co-defendants who have pleaded guilty.