DUNWOODY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Dunwoody police are looking for 46-year-old Carlos Sanchez Esquivel. They say he told a woman he worked for the courts and could take care of her traffic ticket. Yovany Baltazar-Cardenas said she thought Esquivel was a friend, but he took her for a ride.
It started when Cardenas received a ticket. Dunwoody police pulled her over for having an expired tag and not having a driver's license. Cardenas admits she has lived in the U.S. illegally for 10 years. She said Esquivel, who she worked with at a local restaurant, offered to help.
"I asked, 'What will happen if I go to court?' He says, 'Oh, don't go because maybe they are going to deport,'" said Cardenas.
She said she gave him $1,000 for what she thought were ticket and court costs. He provided her with what he said were receipts. Cardenas said she had no idea he had just taken her money until police stopped her again for the expired tag.
The court had issued a warrant for her arrest. She spent the night in jail, was fired from her job and borrowed $1,000 from friends to pay the real court costs. Now, she's out $2,000.
Cardenas said she was glad Esquivel gave her the fake receipts because she could show police what happened.
Detectives said they have not heard from any more victims. Cardenas said she knows of two other victims.
Police obtained a warrant for Esquivel, charging him with forgery.
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