Allegedly claiming that it was herself, a Sunset, Utah, woman has been accused of providing the identity and birth date of her daughter to the authorities during a traffic stop.
On Saturday, an officer on patrol noticed a BMW without a license plate driving down the road.
When he pulled the driver over and asked for identification, she reportedly said that she didn’t have her license with her at the moment and that the car was uninsured.
In lieu of an ID, the woman allegedly verbally issued the name and date of birth of her 20-year-old daughter to the officer, reportedly claiming that it was her identity.
After searching the records for the name given, the officer said that the picture matching the information did not seem to resemble the driver of the vehicle.
A deputy with a K9 dispatched to the location to assist the officer, and the driver was asked to get out of the car.
The K9 gave the vehicle a sniff inspection and reportedly responded in a way that indicated that there may be an illegal substance present, causing the deputy to perform a physical search to look for what caused the dog to react.
It was reported that a broken glass object containing a powdery substance and burn marks was in the center console, and the police believed it was a pipe that had been used for smoking narcotics.
The woman’s purse was located, and a search of the contents allegedly produced a second used pipe, small bags of white powder, and the suspect’s driver’s license.
After looking at her identification card the officer asked the woman to give her real name, but she again allegedly provided the name of her daughter.
The woman was identified as 48-year-old Heather Elaine Garcia, and more than one active warrant for her arrest was allegedly discovered while searching her records.
Just before she was handcuffed, Garcia reportedly told the arresting officer that she used her daughter’s identity because she believes they look very similar to each other.
After Garcia was Mirandized, the woman chose to exercise her right to remain silent after asking for an attorney.
Garcia was booked into the Davis County Jail due to the active warrants, and she is facing additional charges for suspicion of providing false personal information with the intent to be another actual person, possession of a controlled substance, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended or revoked license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. She is being held in lieu of $5,320 bail.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.