Charges Reduced in L & M Optical West I.D. Theft Case

VALENCIA, Calif. — The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has decided to reduce felony identity theft charges to misdemeanors for former employees of L & M Optical West who used fake I.D.s and social security numbers to obtain employment at the company.

The plea deal to lessen the charges applies only to those suspects without a prior criminal record. Twenty-two suspects so far have accepted the plea offer out of 54 total charged.

According to the suspects’ public defender Christina Behle, they will get 30 days of community service, three years probation, must pay restitution to the victim and would be required to use only their real name and information to obtain employment.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant Feb. 5 at L & M Optical Disc West, one of the adult industry’s busiest replication facilities, and arrested 55 employees that appeared to be using false documents to obtain employment.

Police began their investigation after 19 residents, most of them near the company’s replication facility in Valencia, received overdue tax bills from the IRS on income they didn’t earn.

The ID theft scheme was uncovered after victims received letters from the Social Security Administration stating they earned taxable income at L &M Optical West though the company employed none of the 19 Santa Clarita Valley residents.

The arrests effected more than a quarter of L & M’s approximately 200 employees.

Interestingly, its been speculated that a letter sent by the Mexican Consulate supporting the suspects pressured the L.A. district attorney office to reduce the charges.

L & M accounting manager Rosa Guitierrez, who police allege knew about the large-scale ID theft and tax evasion ring happening right under her nose, pleaded the 5th Amendment more than 20 times during questioning at the preliminary trials.

As a result of these prosecutions bringing the company’s activities in the law enforcement spotlight, L & M Optical West now finds itself under investigation for piracy.

“The investigation is under way and will take several months,” Sgt. Steve Low told The Signal of Santa Clarita Valley.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Pastelle Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Pastelle has made her TransAngels debut alongside Ali Rush in "Royal Sucksession."

Show More