UNINCORPORATED WHITTIER – When the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alerted the Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force (HALT) and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services regarding the importation of counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine cards shipped from China and destined for the U.S. – swift action took place.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’sDepartment’s (LASD) Major Crimes Bureau (MCB) detectives assigned to HALT and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services were notified that the counterfeit cards were headed to a destination in the unincorporated portion of Whittier.
The MCB HALT team – a multi-disciplinary task force managed and funded by L.A. County’s Department of Health Services – operates under mandate of the Board of Supervisors. HALT team detectives work in close conjunction with members of the L.A. County Department of Health Services, allied law enforcement, and health agency partners at the local, State and Federal level.
“HALT team detectives, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, immediately began a criminal investigation,” announced LASD’s MCB. “And, they were able to identify the intended recipient of the counterfeit vaccine cards – Charlene Bohorquez, of Whittier.”
A search warrant was executed at the Unincorporated Whittier residence on November 5th. HALT team detectives, assisted by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, located dozens of counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine cards and seized several items of evidence.
Suspect Bohorquez, upon questioning by detectives, admitted ordering the illegal cards online from a vendor located in China. Her express intention was to sell to individuals reluctant to getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
“The suspect also admitted to previously selling additional counterfeit Covid-19 cards in the past,” said LASD’s MCB. “Suspect Bohorquez was arrested for possession and sales of a counterfeit or deceptive identification document.”
As a result of possession and sale of counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine cards, the arrestee was transported to Norwalk Sheriff Station. There, she was booked, and issued a citation to appear at a future date in Downey Superior Court.
