SHERMAN, Texas — Two New York women have been sentenced to federal prison for operating a counterfeit passport scheme uncovered during a traffic stop in North Texas, officials said.
Ciera Julieth Blas, 32, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on April 7, 2026, after pleading guilty to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents. Kelly Josek, 41, of New York City, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison in January 2026.
According to court records, the case began when Flower Mound Police conducted a traffic stop involving a vehicle driven by Blas, with Josek as a passenger. During the stop, officers discovered seven U.S. passport identification cards along with bank cards matching the names on the documents…