FORT PAYNE, Ala.- Authorities in Fort Payne say a forgery and identity theft operation has been shut down following an investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Drugs and Major Crimes Unit.

Investigators say they had been looking into reports of a forgery operation being run out of a home on Mims Street.

On Thursday, January 29th, agents conducted a traffic stop connected to the case at IDA in Fort Payne. During that stop, the main suspect was identified as 58-year-old Javier Ferrer-Huerta of Veracruz, Mexico, and evidence was recovered from his vehicle.

Later that evening, authorities executed a search warrant at the Mims Street residence. During the search, deputies say they seized multiple false documents, materials used to create fake identification cards, three firearms, and a large amount of U.S. currency.

Huerta was charged with Trafficking in Stolen Identities. Officials also notified the United States Department of Homeland Security after determining he was in the country illegally.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden called identity theft a serious crime that can cause lasting financial and personal harm to victims, adding that his office remains committed to protecting the community and holding offenders accountable.

The investigation remains ongoing.