A Brazilian national residing illegally in Danbury, Connecticut, has admitted to his role in a scheme to obtain driver’s licenses for individuals not eligible to receive them. Helbert Costa Generoso, 41, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to unlawfully produce and possess identification documents with intent to transfer and furnishing a false passport for use. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman, who scheduled sentencing for October 2, 2025.
Costa Generoso was charged alongside four others in December 2024. From November 2020 through September 2024, he and his co-conspirators reportedly facilitated the acquisition of driver’s licenses for illegal aliens living in states where such licenses were prohibited. Prior to July 2023, Massachusetts did not allow illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses; however, New York had permitted this since 2019.
The group allegedly charged around $1,400 per customer for obtaining fraudulent driver’s licenses and foreign passports used as identification in applications. They also conspired to circumvent the New York Department of Motor Vehicles’ requirements by using deceptive methods during permit tests and creating fake driver’s education certificates.
Authorities claim that the conspirators transported customers from Massachusetts to New York DMV locations using fraudulent documents to falsely establish residency in New York. Over 600 licenses were obtained fraudulently for more than 1,000 applicants through these operations.
Costa Generoso is the second individual involved in this case to plead guilty; three other alleged co-conspirators have denied the charges and await trial.
The conspiracy charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. Furnishing a false passport could result in up to ten years imprisonment with similar fines. Sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the developments alongside Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations and Kelly Larco-Ward from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. Assistance came from various law enforcement agencies including the NY DMV Division of Field Investigation and several police departments across Connecticut.
The remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
