Friday, March 31, 2000
Teens avoid felony charge for fake IDs
Deputy clerk won't get deal
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — Felony charges against two young women accused of obtaining fake state identification cards from a deputy Campbell County circuit clerk have been reduced to misdemeanors.
But Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jack Porter said the prosecutor's office has no intention of reducing the felony charge of second-degree forgery against 48-year-old Patricia Ginter of Fort Thomas, the deputy clerk police say made the identification cards.
Christina Franzen, 19, of Fort Thomas, appeared before Campbell District Judge D. Michael Foellger on Thursdayon a charge of second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a felony.
Judge Foellger agreed to a deal between defense and prosecution to accept a plea to a misdemeanor charge of third-degree possession of a forged instrument, a misdemeanor.
Fort Thomas police say Miss Franzen and 18-year-old Lauren Huenefeld, also of Fort Thomas, obtained the fake ID cards with the knowledge of their mothers, who apparently know Ms. Ginter. Charges were also reduced against Miss Huenefeld.
Investigators say Ms. Ginter may have made 100 or more fake IDs during her five years in the circuit court clerk's Alexandria office.
Judge Foellger admonished Miss Franzen, who turns 20
on Saturday, after learning that she had been in court a year ago on a similar, misdemeanor fake ID charge.
“You're pushing it to the limit, young lady,” the judge said from the bench. “You better get your act together. You could have gotten five years in prison if you were convicted of the felony.”
Mr. Porter said Miss Franzen apparently obtained a phony identification card at Eastern Kentucky University last year. “Although she was in court some time ago for that charge, the offense actually happened after the one that resulted in the new charge in Campbell County,” he said.
Miss Franzen and Miss Huenefeld will be placed in a diversion program that normally involves community service. Mr. Porter said he expected some strict conditions to be part of the diversion program.
Mr. Porter said the commonwealth attorney's office had no plans to offer a deal to Ms. Ginter, who entered a not guilty plea at her arraignment and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 20.
“We expect her to be bound over to the grand jury, and we will present evidence to the grand jury to obtain an indictment and proceed with the felony charge,” he said.
Fort Thomas police continue to investigate the case, and there are indications that other charges may be filed in connection with other fake IDs.
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