Military base workers allegedly used false numbers to get ID
By: Eve Collins
Eight more civilian workers have been charged with using false Social Security numbers to obtain badges that grant access Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced last week, while state officials are pushing military officials to increase security at the bases.
The workers, charged on June 18, join 13 others who were charged on June 6. U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, R-Hamilton, and Jim Saxton, R-Mount Holly, have asked officials at the bases to take immediate action to prevent undocumented employees from working as contract employees at the nation’s military bases.
"We need tighter security requirements at our bases and the military needs to target their contracts to those contractors who commit to closely monitoring whom they hire as employees," said Mr. Smith in a prepared statement.
The congressmen will meet with military officials to urge the usage of "best value contracting" over lowest bid contracting and the hiring of contractors who employ skilled, certified and documented workers.
"Not even Chris and I can get on the bases without providing ID," said Mr. Saxton. "It’s just good sense to have an idea of who is coming and going onto our bases."
Officials said they currently have no evidence that any of those charged are related to any terrorist organization.
The charge, fraudulent use of a Social Security number, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
All of the workers were employed by private contractors for work at either Fort Dix or McGuire Air Force Base, and used the badges for general access to all areas of that base, officials said.
The investigation, called Operation Secured Eagle is continuing, and additional arrests are expected, officials said.
Officials at Fort Dix have said they knew the investigation was going on and are pleased that the security problem has been dealt with.
Officials at McGuire Air Force Base did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to officials, in order to obtain a badge for an employee, the contractors for either base is required to complete a criminal background check on the employees. Along with a Social Security number, the criminal history form requests the employee’s name, date of birth, and signature, officials said.
After the contractors submitted the required information and the employees signed the forms, the badges were issued, officials said.
The contractors who employed the workers most recently charged are Avila Construction, Ranco Construction, and RJF Construction.
The workers charged on June 6 worked for Andrews and Co., Christi Cleaning, Akima Corp. and Embry-Riddle Aviation.
The workers charged last week are Leonardo A. Candido, 23; Johni P. Fernandez, 30; Segundo Garces, 46; Carlos Jaramillo, 41; Andrix Kovalchuk, 52; Mykoia Kovalchuk, 29; Mykola Kovalchuk, 49; and Jose C. Pizarro, 42. Officials said the residences of the individuals had not yet been verified.