Man Arrested after NEWSCHANNEL 5 Investigation

Suspect caught selling counterfeit paper license plate

MCALLEN - A NEWSCHANNEL 5 investigation leads to the arrest of a Valley car dealer's employee.

Our undercover investigation caught Mauricio Munoz selling us a counterfeit paper license plate for forty dollars.

County fraud investigators arrested the 38-year-old and charged him with tampering with government documents.

Munoz stood speechless before a judge today. He tried to avoid our cameras.

Investigators say they've been following Munoz's dealership, Premier Auto Sales, for some time.

Hidalgo County Fraud Investigator Martin Cepeda says, "Hopefully this sends a strong message to other dealers out there doing the same thing, or any other individual, that we're out there and will be investigating for these types of crimes."

Car dealership owners on places like McAllen's 23rd Street are taking the warning to heart. They say breaking the law is simply not worth losing their property or business.

Humberto Salinas' family has been in the car sales business for over 60 years. He says, "For some stupid mistake or not following the rules, you can lose everything."

He tells us dirty dealers give legitimate places like theirs a bad name. Salinas has a message for anyone who asks him for a paper plate.

"Buy a car and I'll give you a tag," he says, "Otherwise... see ya."

Meanwhile, if convicted, Munoz could face two to ten years behind bars and/or a $10,000 fine. We learned the state will conduct its own investigation and determine if Premier Auto Sales will lose their license to sell cars.