Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Thursday, Nov. 14
The Indiana Daily Student

Police foil fake ID network

IUPD says it can track students who bought IDs from perpetrators

IU police arrested two students before spring break on charges of creating and distributing hundreds of fake IDs on campus. The discovery of the IDs stemmed from an IUPD narcotics investigation that began in November, led by IU police officer Dave Hannum.\nFreshman Nicolas Baytler, 18, and associate's degree student Jeffrey S. Bravine, 20, both face misdemeanor charges of manufacturing false identification. They allegedly used personal computers to create the IDs for underage students.\nWhile police are unsure exactly how many IDs Bravine and Baytler made, they can track students who purchased the IDs from him through computer files.\n"We have everything scanned into (Bravine's) computer," IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said. \nFor now, however, police can only assimilate the information and submit it to the prosecutors handling the case. Minger said IUPD plans on releasing the list of names to the dean's office and speculated on the possibility of punishment through the Office of Student Ethics.\n"This is an example of what happens from the drug work that Officer Hannum's been doing," Minger said. "It starts out with making controlled marijuana buys over the course of several months, and then you find out more students who are dealing, you find out dealing in harder drugs and turning out illegal fake IDs…it's very typical of the kind of investigation that starts out with one thing and moves on with others."\nBaytler and Bravine will also face drug charges resulting from the narcotics investigation. Two other students were arrested on drug charges as well. \nBaytler, a resident of Foster Quad, also faces preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit dealing a schedule I controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance, reckless possession of paraphernalia, possession of false identification and five counts of dealing marijuana. \nBravine, resident of East 19th Street, faces preliminary charges of reckless possession of paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of marijuana.\nPolice also arrested freshman Benjamin Griffel, 18, and freshman Zachary S. Sussman, 19, both residents of McNutt Quad. Griffel faces preliminary charges of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of false identification, possession of marijuana and reckless possession of paraphernalia.\nSussman faces preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit dealing a schedule I controlled substance, possession of marijuana, dealing marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of false identification.\nMinger said the investigations began with a case against Baytler concerning controlled buys of marijuana. They later expanded to Sussman when it was discovered Baytler and Sussman were also discussing supplying other drugs, such as mushrooms. \nPolice were then able to obtain subpoenas to monitor Baytler and Sussman's computer traffic.\n"They were communicating over the computer about when drugs were coming in, how much, sales and things like that," Minger said. "On those logs of their traffic, they were also talking about their fake ID business and how they were supplying to various people around campus." \nPolice then obtained warrants for Baytler and Sussman and served them the during the early morning hours of March 7, the Thursday preceding spring break. Officers then served a warrant on Sussman and searched his room at McNutt Quad. The search turned up drugs and false IDs that were in Griffel's possession, Minger said. \nPolice then obtained a telephonic search warrant to search Bravine's East 19th Street apartment and found evidence that he had been making fake IDs. \n"Right at his computer we found over 30 pieces of information -- personal information, passport pictures -- as well as over 80 files of signatures, photos, templates and things like that," Minger said.\nPolice also discovered Bravine had purchased a program over the Internet allowing him to affix holograms to the false driver's licenses he was creating. At the time of the police search, Bravine was working on over 50 Connecticut licenses.\nAfter searching Bravine's apartment, police confiscated his computer, scanner, printer and monitor. \nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he has not yet received an official report from IUPD detailing the arrests. If convicted of the charges, Bravine may have violated sections of the Code of Student Ethics concerning fraud, McKaig said, but he could not speculate further until reading the official police report.\nThe students arrested on campus will likely face hearings before the campus judicial board. In extreme cases, McKaig noted, students may meet with hearing officers instead.\nThe Code of Student Ethics prohibits students from possessing "controlled substances…including, but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, narcotics, certain stimulants and depressants, and hallucinogens."\nIt also prohibits the sale or transfer of illegal drugs to IU students. \nMinger said incidents in which students violate state law are normally deemed violations of the student code as well but said IUPD must allow the Office of Student Ethics to make that distinction on a case-by-case basis.\nA similar sting operation in December 2001 pinned 13 offenders, 11 of whom were IU students. Led by Hannum and a team of officers, the sting targeted marijuana and cocaine use and sales. The charges culminated three months of undercover work by the South Central Indiana Drug Task Force.\nSenior Ken Minami, former president of the Residence Halls Association, told the IDS in December that RHA generally does not intervene in situations involving drug charges in the residence halls. Instead, students facing alcohol or drug-related charges usually face disciplinary action by the University if it has been determined that the Student Code of Ethics has been violated.

Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe