A St Joseph woman will spend more than three years in federal prison for her role in an illegal licensing scheme based out of St Joe.

US Attorney Tammy Dickinson in Kansas City announced Wednesday 47-year-old Deborah J. Flores was sentenced in federal court to three years and four months in federal prison.

Flores is also jointly liable for a $5.2 million money judgment, stemming from the scheme’s proceeds. Flores pleaded guilty in October to her part to gain identity documents for illegal aliens.

It’s estimated more than 3,500 licenses were issued by the Department of Revenue License office in St Joseph to illegal aliens.

In addition to Flores, five co-defendants have been sentenced and 11 co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.