San Diego Man Forges Signature of Federal Judge in Failed Attempt to Forestall Forfeiture of Property

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Marc Uribe pled guilty today to forging the signature of a Southern District of California federal court judge, a felony. Uribe entered his guilty plea in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo. The plea is subject to final acceptance by United States District Judge Larry Alan Burns before or at the time of sentencing.

As acknowledged in his guilty plea, Uribe created a fake court order in order to forestall the foreclosure of his Mission Valley home. The order purported to be part of a civil lawsuit that Uribe and his wife brought against various lenders in federal court. The order created by Uribe instructed the lenders that they were temporarily prohibited from foreclosing on the Uribes' home. In fact, Uribe had not filed a civil lawsuit, had falsified the court order, and had forged the signature of a federal judge on the false court order. Uribe admitted to the forgery during his guilty plea, and admitted to mailing the order to one of the lenders.

Uribe’s sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before United States District Judge Larry Alan Burns.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

DEFENDANT

Case Number: 11-CR-2397-LABMarc Uribe Age: 45 San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES IN GUILTY PLEA

Count 1: Title 18, United States Code, Section 505—Forging judicial signature (felony)Maximum penalties: 20 years of custody; $1,000,000 Fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation