Lessie Serrano arrested on ID Theft and Hindering Prosecution charges

This week Lessie Serrano was indicted for two felonies, Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another and Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree in connection with the hiring of an illegal worker at Waterworld. According to a February 8, 2008 search warrant, an informant told investigators from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office that Serrano, the food services manager for Waterworld, was aware that illegal immigrants were employed at the park. A subsequent search of records uncovered numerous illegal workers including a 36-year-old woman who was hired even though the false identity she was using placed her age at 62.

Serrano is also charged with hindering prosecution related to the warning of illegal workers of their impending discovery at the time deputies were searching the water park.

This case represents a new phase in our investigations related to possible violations of the employer-sanctions law, which was passed last year by the legislature and may be the toughest employer sanctions law in the country. This is the first time an individual engaged in hiring has been accused of a felony. We appreciate the hard work of the Sheriff's Office in helping to make this indictment possible. We will continue to investigate thoroughly this and other potential employer-sanctions cases.

Sheriff Arpaio had the following to say regarding the indictment, "During the course of the employer sanctions case 87 suspects have been arrested accused of felony identity theft and forgery. It is gratifying that County Attorney Thomas has been able to obtain an indictment on Serrano, a manager at the water park, in this employer sanctions investigation."