Nashville, Tennessee – A routine traffic stop by Nashville International Airport Police led to a significant discovery of falsified federal documents and an arrest, unveiling a case of identity fraud.
On the evening of December 14, while patrolling in an unmarked car, an officer from the BNA police force noticed something amiss – a stolen license plate on a blue Ford Explorer. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Daniel Norena, presented a driver’s license and passport from Colombia, South America. However, he lacked any government-issued identification from Tennessee.
During the investigation, as stated in the arrest affidavit, Norena claimed to have purchased the Explorer recently, paying $200 for the license plate, which he allegedly did not know was stolen. Further complicating the situation, Norena was found to be driving without a license, insurance, or vehicle registration.
The situation escalated when investigators noticed a piece of paper on Norena’s lap, containing multiple signatures. Through their inquiry, it became clear that Norena was practicing the signature of a man named Daniel Fernandez. A search of Norena revealed more incriminating evidence – a fake U.S. Social Security Card and a fake U.S. Permanent Resident Card, both bearing the name Daniel Ricardo Fernandez. This name matched the signatures that Norena had been practicing, indicating a deeper involvement in identity fraud.
Norena was subsequently charged with not having a driver’s license and forgery. He was taken to jail and later released on a $2,500 bond. According to arrest records, Norena disclosed to the police that he has been living in Nashville for over a year.
