Police in Iowa City have filed charges against a young man who is accused making fake drivers’ licenses. The arrest of 20-year-old Anders Haig follows a lengthy investigation that started when officers began noticing a string of similar looking out-of-state fake IDs last year.

Sergeant Troy Kelsay says investigators seized card printers, a lamination machine and a computer from Haig’s home. "There were images of driver’s licenses IDs…maybe a thousand plus on there," Kelsay said. "This was a money making venture for Haig." Haig faces eight counts of making fake IDs that underage kids were using to gain entry into bars.

"If these fakes were handed to just your general lay person, somebody in the public who wasn’t familiar with that out-of-state drivers’ license…they look like they could very easily be legitimate, I don’t know that you would question it," Kelsay said.

The arrest may have an impact on underage drinking in bars in Iowa City, but Kelsay believes they’ll be finding Haig’s work for some time. Kelsay says, "I think that we’ll continue to confiscate his drivers’ licenses and IDs for months and maybe even years to come." Kelsay also hopes Haig’s arrest will deter others from trying to make and sell fake IDs.

"There’s money to be made, there’s no doubt about it," Kelsay says, "but it is an illegal activity and there are some very real and very long lasting consequences – stuff that’s going to follow Mr. Haig for the rest of his life." If convicted, Haig could face penalities of up to $1,500 and a year in jail on each of the eight counts. Police also accuse Haig of growing hallucinogenic mushrooms, which could bring 10 more years in prison. That penalty could be doubled because officers found assault rifles near the grow operation.